Subjective Beliefs and the Choices of Community College Students

While U.S. community colleges can be powerful engines of economic mobility, only about one in three community college students earn a 2-year degree and only about 25% transfer to a 4-year institution. Improving completion and transfer rates are critical to promote economic mobility. Doctoral student in economics John Green will examine how students’ beliefs about tuition costs, graduation probabilities, and returns on their degree influence their choices in completing a 2-year community college program and transferring to a 4-year institution. He will conduct surveys and interviews for his study.