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Does College Focus Matter? Explaining Differences in Labor Market Outcomes among Community Colleges

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  • Michael Dunn
  • Arne L. Kalleberg

Abstract

The evolution of community colleges from their origins as junior colleges to institutions with dual missions to provide both academic and workforce preparation raises questions about the impact of a college’s mission focus on their students’ labor market success. We examine this question using the 58 colleges in the North Carolina Community College system as case study for community colleges nationally. We find that students from community colleges that specialize or focus on career objectives had higher labor market earnings; about one-fifth of the variation in students’ earnings across community colleges is due to the college’s mission focus. Other community college variables also enhance students’ earnings, such as institution size as well as having single-county service areas and low proportions of remedial students.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Dunn & Arne L. Kalleberg, 2017. "Does College Focus Matter? Explaining Differences in Labor Market Outcomes among Community Colleges," Journal of Educational Issues, Macrothink Institute, vol. 3(1), pages 189213-1892, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:mth:jeijnl:v:3:y:2017:i:1:p:189213
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patricia J. Gumport, 2003. "The Demand-Response Scenario: Perspectives of Community College Presidents," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 586(1), pages 38-61, March.
    2. Ronald G. Ehrenberg & Liang Zhang, 2005. "Do Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty Matter?," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 40(3).
    3. Daniel Jacoby, 2006. "Effects of Part-Time Faculty Employment on Community College Graduation Rates," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 77(6), pages 1081-1103, November.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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