In 2021, around ** percent of students enrolled in community colleges in the United States were aged between 22 and 39 years old. A further eight percent were aged 40 years or older in that same year.

In the fall of 2019, ** percent of full-time students attending public 2-year colleges in the United States were under the age of **. For those attending private, non-profit community colleges, this figure dropped to ** percent.

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US Community College Market Size 2025-2029

The US community college market size is forecast to increase by USD -7825.8 million, at a CAGR of -2.7% between 2024 and 2029.

The Community College market in the US is experiencing significant shifts driven by the growing emphasis on non-traditional learning and the evolving education marketing process. This trend is fueled by the increasing number of adults returning to education and the need for flexible learning options. However, community colleges face challenges in securing adequate funding, which may hinder their ability to meet the demands of an expanding student population. The education landscape is transforming, with community colleges playing a pivotal role in catering to the needs of non-traditional learners. The marketing process has become increasingly important as institutions compete for students in a crowded market.
Yet, reduced funding poses a significant challenge. Community colleges must navigate this financial obstacle by exploring innovative funding models and cost-effective solutions to maintain their competitiveness and continue providing accessible, affordable education. Adapting to these market dynamics and addressing funding constraints will be crucial for community colleges seeking to capitalize on opportunities and thrive in the evolving educational landscape.

What will be the size of the US Community College Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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The community college market in the US is characterized by a shift towards hybrid learning and competency-based education, as resource management and curriculum mapping gain prominence. Student recruitment strategies are increasingly data-driven, with mobile learning and learning analytics playing crucial roles. Institutional advancement efforts include compliance regulations, capital campaigns, and board of trustees engagement. Budget allocation and information technology investments are key areas of focus for administrators, with technology infrastructure and program review shaping the future of education. Faculty governance, endowment management, and professional development are essential components of institutional success.
Skills gap analysis and blended learning are critical in addressing workforce needs, while accreditation standards ensure academic rigor. Personalized learning and alumni relations strengthen student engagement, and faculty recruitment and shared governance foster a collaborative learning environment.

How is this market segmented?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Revenue Stream

  Government funds
  Tuition and fees
  Grants and contracts
  Others


Courses

  Associate degree
  TVET certification
  Continuing education
  Bachelors degree


Student Type

  Traditional
  Non-Traditional
  Online
  Recent High School Graduates
  Adult Learners
  Career Changers


Delivery Mode

  On-Campus
  Online
  Hybrid


Subject Area

  STEM
  Healthcare
  Business
  Liberal Arts


Geography

  North America

    US

By Revenue Stream Insights

The government funds segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

Community colleges in the US receive the majority of their revenue from government funds, primarily from state, local, and central sources. These funds support various aspects of college operations, including instructor salaries, staff compensation, and infrastructure improvements. Thirty-two out of the fifty states in the US employ funding formulas to distribute resources to their respective colleges. Some states, such as Washington and Ohio, have adopted performance-based funding models to incentivize enrollment growth and expedite graduation rates. Educational technology plays a significant role in community colleges, with online learning platforms and classroom technology enhancing the learning experience. Dual enrollment programs enable high school students to earn college credits, while GED preparation courses help adults attain their diplomas.

Faculty development and program assessment ensure academic rigor and continuous improvement. International students contribute to campus diversity, with career services and student affairs providing support. Campus safety and accessibility compliance are essential considerations, as are technical skills training, workforce development, certificate programs, and continuing education. Transfer agreements facilitate seamless transitions to four-year institutions, while ESL programs cater to non-native English speakers. Associate degrees and bachelor's degrees

Historical Dataset of The Early College Lansing Community College is provided by PublicSchoolReview and contain statistics on metrics:Total Students Trends Over Years (2013-2023),Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (2013-2021),Distribution of Students By Grade Trends,Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (2013-2021),American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2020),Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2023),Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023),Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023),White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023),Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023),Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (2013-2023),Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2013-2023),Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2012-2022),Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2012-2021),Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2012-2021),Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2021)

In the academic year of 2017/18, ** percent of students at community colleges in the United States received federal grants. ** percent of community college students received federal loans in that same year.

This dataset tracks annual white student percentage from 2013 to 2023 for The Early College Lansing Community College vs. Michigan and Ingham Independent School District

In 2021, around ** percent of total for-credit students enrolled in community colleges in the United States were female. Less than half of enrollees were males in that same year.

This dataset tracks annual black student percentage from 2013 to 2023 for The Early College Lansing Community College vs. Michigan and Ingham Independent School District

This statistic shows the distribution of part-time students enrolled at community colleges in the United States in the 2017 academic year, by age and school type. In 2017, ** percent of part-time students attending public 2-year colleges were under the age of **.

This dataset provides information about Massachusetts public high school graduates enrolling into institutions of higher education by student group since 2004. It includes the count and percentage of students enrolled in any college or university, as well as a breakdown of enrollment in private vs. public, two-year vs. four-year, and Massachusetts vs. out-of-state institutions. It also includes the percentage of students enrolled in a Massachusetts community college, a Massachusetts state university, or the University of Massachusetts system.

The data provided in the report are based on point-in-time matching of graduates with higher education enrollment data from the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC). For more information about working with NSC data, including coverage and FERPA implications, please visit their Working with Our Data page.

Results are not reported for higher education enrollments of fewer than 15. Prior to the 2015 high school graduating class, the data refers to students attending college within 16 months of graduating high school. From 2015 on, the data is also provided by high school graduates attending college by the March following their high school graduation year. The percentages in the report are available by college attendee or high school graduate.

Economically Disadvantaged was used 2015-2021. Low Income was used prior to 2015, and a different version of Low Income has been used since 2022. Please see the DESE Researcher's Guide for more information.

This dataset contains the same data that is also published on our DESE Profiles site: Graduates Attending Higher Ed

The data here is from the report entitled Trends in Enrollment, Credit Attainment, and Remediation at Connecticut Public Universities and Community Colleges: Results from P20WIN for the High School Graduating Classes of 2010 through 2016. The report answers three questions: 1. Enrollment: What percentage of the graduating class enrolled in a Connecticut public university or community college (UCONN, the four Connecticut State Universities, and 12 Connecticut community colleges) within 16 months of graduation? 2. Credit Attainment: What percentage of those who enrolled in a Connecticut public university or community college within 16 months of graduation earned at least one year’s worth of credits (24 or more) within two years of enrollment? 3. Remediation: What percentage of those who enrolled in one of the four Connecticut State Universities or one of the 12 community colleges within 16 months of graduation took a remedial course within two years of enrollment? Notes on the data: District Credit: % Earning 24 Credits is a subset of the % Earning 16 Credits District Remed: % Enrolled in Remediation is a subset of the % Enrolled in 16 Months

There is a strong need in the United States to increase the size and diversity of the domestic workforce trained in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). With almost half of all students that earn a baccalaureate degree enrolling in a 2-year public college at some point, the nation’s 2-year colleges provide great promise for improving the capacity of the STEM workforce for innovation and global competition while addressing the nation’s need for more equity between groups that have been historically included and those that have been economically and politically disenfranchized. Almost half of underrepresented minoritized (URM) students begin their post-secondary education at 2-year colleges yet their transfer rates within 5 years are only 16%. This study describes interventions put in place at a 2-year college to support increased transfer rates and STEM transfer readiness for URM STEM-interested students. The program studied, in place from 2017 through 2020, had an overall transfer rate of 45%. Analysis of administrative, transcript, and student survey data connects the program interventions to the existing research on STEM momentum and other research on URM STEM transfer success. Ultimately, this study identifies potential leading indicators of transfer readiness, providing much needed documentation and guidance on the efficacy and limitations of interventions to improve upward STEM transfer.

This dataset tracks annual two or more races student percentage from 2013 to 2023 for The Early College Lansing Community College vs. Michigan and Ingham Independent School District

Abstract (en): The Community College Civic Outcomes Survey, Spring 2015 study examines the individual and institutional factors associated with greater civic agency, capacity, behavior, and knowledge among college students. In Spring 2015, two surveys were digitally administered at nine community colleges. These nine colleges were purposively selected for diversity in terms of geography, campus setting, size, and the racial and ethnic composition of their student bodies. From a total of 98,838 recipients, 4,788 usable surveys were returned, for an aggregate five percent response rate (response rates varied from two to 13% among the nine colleges). This data includes a sample of 3,897 from those surveys collected. The Civic Outcomes Survey (COS) was administered to students, and included questions related to voting, political and community engagement, civic knowledge, and leadership development. The Institutional Questionnaire (IQ), was admitted to each college's liaisons to The Democracy Commitment (TDC), and included questions related to college-level factors known to influence student engagement. These questions assessed for institutional intentionality towards civic engagement through college missions and strategic planning, as well as academic and faculty focus on civic involvement. Both instruments were previously tested in a small regional pilot and were subsequently refined to allow for greater response variability. Demographic variables include race, income, gender, and enrollment status. This study was conducted to better understand the extent and ways in which community colleges develop the civic capacities of their students. The research questions guiding this study were:

Holding pre-college civic behaviors constant, what individual behaviors and characteristics are associated with greater civic agency, capacity, behavior, and knowledge among students with at least one year of community college experience?; Holding individual characteristics and behaviors constant, what institutional programs, policies, or characteristics are associated with greater civic agency, capacity, behavior, and knowledge among students with at least one year of community college experience?; The data contains 145 variables. 82 variables are from the Civic Outcomes Survey (COS), and 48 variables are from the Institutional questionnaire (IQ). The remaining variables are administrative, composite, and weight variables. ICPSR data undergo a confidentiality review and are altered when necessary to limit the risk of disclosure. ICPSR also routinely creates ready-to-go data files along with setups in the major statistical software formats as well as standard codebooks to accompany the data. In addition to these procedures, ICPSR performed the following processing steps for this data collection: Performed consistency checks.; Created online analysis version with question text.; Performed recodes and/or calculated derived variables.. Response Rates: From a total of 98,838 recipients, 4,788 usable surveys were returned for an aggregate five percent response rate (response rates varied from two to 13% among the nine college). This data includes a sample of 3,897 from those surveys collected. Community College Students Each participating institution gained approval through their own Institutional Review Board. The purposively-selected institutions were geographically diverse, represented a variety of urban, suburban, and rural environments (as identified by the Carnegie Classifications), and ranged in size from 2,500 to 34,000 full-time-equivalent (FTE) students. The racial/ethnic composition of students at the colleges also varied substantially, with relatively large numbers of African Americans at some, a preponderance of Asians or Latinos at others, and heavily White populations elsewhere. Seven of the 9 colleges received a small stipend for participating; the remaining 2 agreed to participate without compensation. Funding insitution(s): Spencer Foundation (201500091). web-based survey

The Garden State-LSAMP (GSLSAMP) alliance works collaboratively with the Northern New Jersey-Bridges to the Baccalaureate (NNJB2B) to greatly improve the graduation of community college students from underrepresented minority (URM) groups in STEM and their transfer rate to 4-years STEM programs. This is accomplished through several areas of enrichment. The two alliances sponsor joint activities to encourage a supportive community of 2-years and 4-years students. Community college students conduct research in the labs of mentoring faculty at 4-years programs where they interact with 4-years college students. A cross-campus near-peer mentoring program pairs recently transferred GSLSAMP mentors with mentees from the mentor’s community college of origin that eases and facilitates the graduation and transfer of mentees. In addition, the NNJB2B has adopted five proven high impact practices from GSLSAMP for their students. The results are that the graduation rate of the NNJB2B increased an average of 24.0% annually over the first 5 years of the program and the transfer rate improved 151.0% over the 2012 baseline. Four GSLSAMP 4-years institutions were especially active in the program and experienced an average increase of 62.9% over the 2012 baseline transfers from NNJB2B community colleges.

This dataset tracks annual hispanic student percentage from 2013 to 2023 for The Early College Lansing Community College vs. Michigan and Ingham Independent School District

The U.S. Department of Education’s graduation rate, which is reported through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), is a nationally recognized and commonly used metric in higher education. Graduation rate is calculated as the percentage of first‐time, full‐time, degree/certificate seeking students that complete a CCC program within 150% of the estimated time it takes to complete the program.

This dataset tracks annual american indian student percentage from 2012 to 2020 for The Early College Lansing Community College vs. Michigan and Ingham Independent School District

This statistic shows the percentage of tuition costs that full-time students of public community colleges had to pay themselves in 2009 in different states around the United States. In Wisconsin, students had to pay ** percent of the total costs for their education in public community colleges.

Rising college enrollment over the last quarter century has not been met with a proportional increase in college completion. Comparing the high school classes of 1972 and 1992, we show declines in college completion rates have been most pronounced for men who first enroll in less selective public universities and community colleges. We decompose the decline into the components due to changes in preparedness of entering students and due to changes in collegiate characteristics, including type of institution and resources per student. While both factors play some role, the supply-side characteristics are most important in explaining changes in college completion. (JEL I23)