In Texas and nationwide, the cost of higher education has become a significant concern for young people and their families. While much of the negative perception revolves around the high costs of four-year private institutions, community colleges often find themselves unfairly lumped into this conversation despite their typically lower tuition rates.
Recognizing the impact of this perception on high schoolers’ attitudes toward college, some Texas community colleges are taking steps to change the narrative by utilizing new state funding to waive tuition for select high school students.
Texas boasts a thriving community college culture, with these institutions attracting over 47% of students enrolled in higher education, as reported by the Texas Community Colleges Association and Community College Association of Texas Trustees.
However, despite this robust presence, enrollment in two-year degree programs at community colleges saw a seven percentage point decrease from 2010 to 2020, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics at the Institute of Education Sciences.
Higher education leaders attribute this decline in enrollment to various factors, including students opting to enter the workforce directly after high school to cope with the rising cost of living. To combat this trend and increase access to higher education, many community colleges focus on expanding dual credit programs, allowing high school students to earn college credits while still in high school.
Research has shown that participation in dual credit programs correlates with a higher likelihood of high school graduation, college enrollment, and degree completion.
Implementing free college programs at community colleges has led to significant increases in enrollment, particularly among underrepresented groups such as Black, Hispanic and female students.