THE DYNAMIC FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BACCALAUREATE: AN INSTITUTIONAL EXPLORATION (Poster 27)

• In Event: Promising Scholarship in Education Research: Dissertation Fellows and Their Research

Abstract

This study uses difference-in-difference and generalized synthetic control modeling to estimate the impact of the community college baccalaureate (CCB) on institutional finance. Leveraging data spanning 19 academic years, I find no consistent impact on overall revenue and spending, though spending increases immediately post-adoption. Coupled with increased enrollment, per FTE revenue and spending decrease, on average, by approximately 12% and 7%, respectively. Adoption of an additional CCB is associated with a 2% to 3% decrease in revenue and spending per FTE. However, robustness checks suggest impacts may vary by state. These results suggest community colleges should consider the tradeoffs in broadening access to baccalaureate-level education with the associated strain on resources. Policymakers should consider how to financially support adoptive institutions as they work to meet student and workforce needs, alike. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.

Author

• Jeremy Wright-Kim, University of Michigan