Often referred to as technical colleges or junior colleges, community colleges in the United States offer two-year degrees and certificate programs in a variety of fields. These colleges serve students from all walks of life, including first-generation college students, adults seeking to re-enter the workforce, and career-oriented students. These schools also offer technical and vocational training and are often linked with local community groups.
The community college model began in the 1930s, when the need for higher education outside of traditional four-year institutions was widely recognized. The Great Depression and widespread unemployment created the need for a more affordable way to earn a college degree. As a result, many people attended community college prior to entering a four-year college. These early community colleges were extensions of high schools, but were not well-defined institutions. Their purpose was to serve high school graduates who needed further education before transferring to a four-year college.
Today, community colleges provide an important pathway for higher education. In fact, nearly eight million students enrolled in at least one course at a two-year college during the 2018-19 school year. These students can earn an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS) degree. They can also pursue career-oriented programs or transfer to a four-year college for the last two years of a bachelor’s degree.
The cost of a community college education is significantly less than that of a four-year college. Moreover, students are able to take classes at night or on the weekends, and they have the opportunity to live at home. Many community colleges partner with universities, and they offer opportunities for transfer to these institutions. The best community colleges are those that offer financial aid and federally funded work-study programs. They also encourage students to explore learning freely and to minimize their post-school debt.
Community colleges are often supported by local taxes, but they also receive a large amount of government funding. This funding includes grants and scholarships, which account for more than one-fifth of the revenue gap. However, without government funding, community colleges would receive significantly less money. If state appropriations for community colleges were to be decreased, colleges would have to make cuts to educational services.
The revenue gap for community colleges is currently $11.9 billion. The largest part of this gap is tuition revenue. While tuition accounts for about 80 percent of the revenue gap, grants and scholarships account for the remainder. In addition to tuition, grants and scholarships contribute $1,900 per FTE at community colleges.
State appropriations contribute $31.3 billion of the overall revenue gap. If these appropriations were decreased, the revenue gap would balloon to $89.8 billion. Several states have adopted different funding formulas. While no two states have the same formulas, states could adopt interim goals, such as halving the revenue gap within a certain number of years. These interim goals could include increasing community college appropriations per FTE to match the local appropriations of four-year institutions.