Does the Starting Point Matter? Analyzing Bachelor's Degree Attainment for Adult Students by Institutional Type

• In Event: Trajectories and Experiences of Community College Transfer

Abstract

Using the NCES 2012/17 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:12/17), this research study explores the persistence to bachelor’s degree attainment of adult students. Specifically, this study analyzes how beginning at a 2-year public or private non-profit institution influences bachelor’s degree attainment compared to beginning at a public or a private non-profit 4-year institution for students aged 25 or older who expected to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher. Our findings indicate that beginning at a community college does not have a negative influence on bachelor’s degree attainment compared to starting a public 4-year institution for adult students. In addition, full-time enrollment intensity does not increase the odds of persistence compared to mixed enrollment intensity for these students.

Authors

• John Dooris, George Mason University

• Arlyn Yire Moreno Luna, University of California - Berkeley

• Sean Riordan, Gateway Technical College

• Andrea Chambers, Michigan State University

• Hollie Daniels, Florida State University