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Should Community College Students Earn an Associate Degree Before Transferring to a 4-Year Institution?

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  • Elizabeth M. Kopko

    (Columbia University)

  • Peter M. Crosta

    (Noodle Education, Inc.)

Abstract

Using data on over 41,000 students in one state who entered community college before transferring to a 4-year institution, this study examines the following question: Are community college students who earn an associate degree before transferring to a 4-year college more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree? Due to the causal nature surrounding this question we employ several strategies to minimize selection bias, including the use of propensity score matching. Analysis reveals large, positive apparent impacts of earning the transfer-oriented associate degrees (i.e., Associate in Arts and Associate in Science) on the probability of earning a bachelor’s degree within 6 years. We do not find any apparent impacts associated with earning one of the workforce-oriented degrees (i.e., Associate in Applied Science) that are awarded by programs typically designed for direct labor market entry. This is an important distinction, as all associate degrees are not equal in their potential impacts on future baccalaureate completion.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth M. Kopko & Peter M. Crosta, 2016. "Should Community College Students Earn an Associate Degree Before Transferring to a 4-Year Institution?," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 57(2), pages 190-222, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reihed:v:57:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s11162-015-9383-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11162-015-9383-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xueli Wang, 2012. "Factors Contributing to the Upward Transfer of Baccalaureate Aspirants Beginning at Community Colleges," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 83(6), pages 851-875, November.
    2. Ehrenberg, Ronald G. & Smith, Christopher L., 2004. "Analyzing the success of student transitions from 2- to 4-year institutions within a state," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 11-28, February.
    3. Sarah R. Cohodes & Joshua S. Goodman, 2014. "Merit Aid, College Quality, and College Completion: Massachusetts' Adams Scholarship as an In-Kind Subsidy," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 6(4), pages 251-285, October.
    4. Jaeger, David A & Page, Marianne E, 1996. "Degrees Matter: New Evidence on Sheepskin Effects in the Returns to Education," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 78(4), pages 733-740, November.
    5. Tatiana Melguizo & Gregory S. Kienzl & Mariana Alfonso, 2011. "Comparing the Educational Attainment of Community College Transfer Students and Four-Year College Rising Juniors Using Propensity Score Matching Methods," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 82(3), pages 265-291, May.
    6. Michael Spence, 1973. "Job Market Signaling," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 87(3), pages 355-374.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael D. Bloem, 2023. "Impacts of Transfer Admissions Requirements: Evidence from Georgia," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 64(6), pages 834-861, September.
    2. Yuxin Lin & Maggie P. Fay & John Fink, 2023. "Stratified Trajectories: Charting Equity Gaps in Program Pathways Among Community College Students," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 64(4), pages 547-573, June.

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