Community College News

Student Success Programs That Actually Work at Community Colleges

In 2025, more than ever, community colleges are embracing targeted student success programs to boost retention, completion, and equitable outcomes. For prospective students, parents, and educators, understanding which initiatives deliver results—and why—can guide meaningful decision-making. This article outlines key strategies, highlights real-world examples, and presents actionable recommendations that community colleges can use to support student success.

Why “student success” matters in the community college context

Community colleges serve a diverse population: first-generation students, adult learners, part-time enrollees, and those balancing work or family commitments. These realities mean that standard four-year pathways often do not apply. Student success programs at community colleges aim to address barriers such as unclear program pathways, remedial course requirements, limited advising, and fragmented support services.

A 2021 brief from the Community College Research Center (CCRC) describes the reform model “Guided Pathways” as a whole-college framework supporting students to explore, plan, and complete credentials aligned with good jobs or bachelor’s transfer. Similarly, a 2018 study found that students who entered a student success course in their first semester at a community college were more likely to earn college-level credits and persist into year two.ResearchGate+1

Given these and other findings, it’s clear that student success programs are not optional extras—they are essential for community colleges striving to enhance outcomes for all students.

Key program types that deliver results

Here are four evidence-based types of

Community College to Ivy League: Is It Possible?

For many students and parents, the dream of attending an Ivy League institution after beginning at a community college is simultaneously inspiring and daunting. In 2025, the pathway from a two-year institution to one of the eight schools of the Ivy League remains possible — but it remains rare, highly competitive, and dependent on strategic planning, academic excellence, and the right institutional partnerships.

Why the question matters

Starting at a community college offers tangible benefits: lower tuition, smaller classes, flexible schedules, and a chance to build or rebuild an academic record. According to EducationData, the average annual tuition at a public community college in 2025 is approximately US$3,598 for in-district students and about US$8,622 for out-of-district students. In contrast, Ivy League sticker prices for the 2025-26 academic year exceed US$64,000 for tuition and fees alone.

From a budgetary perspective, starting at a community college can be a cost-effective strategy — and for students aspiring to move on to an elite four-year campus, it can be a valuable leg of the journey. However, it is not simply a cost-saving move; it must be grounded in a well-executed transfer strategy.

How difficult is it? Transfer admissions in 2025

First, it’s important to understand the broader context of transfer admissions. A 2025 update from BestColleges shows that transfer acceptance rates at four-year institutions vary dramatically — with Ivy League and

Dual Credit vs. AP vs. Community College Courses: Parent Guide (2025 Update)

For ambitious high school students trying to get ahead, the pathway choices can be bewildering: Dual Credit, Advanced Placement (AP), or directly enrolling in community college courses. As a parent, educator, or student, your goal is to understand how each option works, how credits transfer, and which fits your child’s goals and circumstances best.

Below is a structured, practical comparison to guide decision-making in 2025.

What Each Option Means

Dual Credit / Dual Enrollment

Often used interchangeably, “dual credit” or “dual enrollment” means that a student is enrolled in a real college-level course while still in high school, earning both high school and college credit if they pass. These courses may be taught at the high school, on the college campus, or online, depending on agreements between the school and local colleges. dualcredit.austincc.edu+2nltcc.edu+2

AP (Advanced Placement)

The AP program, run by the College Board, gives students the chance to take rigorous, college-level courses in high school. At the end of the course, they take an AP exam. A strong score (often 3, 4, or 5) may result in college credit or placement, depending on the receiving institution.

Community College Courses (Straight Enrollment)

Some high school students may opt to enroll directly in community college courses (not via a dual credit program). These are standard college courses

Introduction

For decades, community colleges (or two-year colleges) have been viewed primarily as commuter institutions—students living off-campus and traveling each day. But that is changing. As of 2025, a growing—but still minority—segment of community colleges now offers on-campus housing, opening new decisions and trade-offs for students and families. In this article, we examine the pros, cons, and costs of community college housing so parents (and students) can make informed decisions.

The Landscape in 2025: How Common Is Community College Housing?

• Only a minority of community colleges offer on-campus dorms. According to recent data, roughly 26 % of U.S. public two-year colleges operate student housing.

• Many colleges still rely on public-private partnerships or ground leases to fund housing projects rather than owning and running dorms themselves. Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

• Some states or systems are incentivizing colleges to develop housing or wraparound services (e.g. mental health, child care) alongside housing.

• In many regions, community colleges may partner with nearby apartment complexes or housing providers to reserve space for students. bold.org+1

Because of this variation, prospective students should always check directly with a college’s residential life or housing office to determine what options exist.

Pros of Community College Housing

Here are the key advantages of living on-campus at a community college:

1. Greater Access

Introduction

Community colleges offer an accessible and cost-effective pathway to postsecondary credentials. In the 2025 labor market, many students and families are especially interested not just in completion, but in whether those credentials lead to well-paying jobs. Fortunately, some community college majors are strongly aligned with high-demand, better-paying career pathways.

This article identifies community college majors that tend to lead to higher earnings (or the potential for them), outlines considerations and caveats, and offers guidance for students planning career-oriented pathways.

Why Major Choice Matters (Even at a Two-Year College)

While community colleges are often thought of as “stepping stones” to four-year degrees, many students enter the workforce directly with associate degrees or certificates. Research by the Community College Research Center (CCRC) shows that:

• In 2022–23, 56 % of credentials awarded (associate degrees, long and short-term certificates) were workforce or career-technical credentials.

• About 48 % of those credentials are associated with median earnings well above a living wage two years post-completion.

• Fields such as nursing, allied health technology, industrial/trades, construction technology, and engineering technology were among those most frequently linked to higher earnings. Community College Research Center+2ateimpacts.net+2

Thus, the choice of major can significantly influence whether a student ends up in a job that pays well, or one that barely covers basic expenses.

That said, no major guarantees success. Outcomes depend on