Examining Time-to-Degree Completion at a Community College

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 3:35 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: From Potential to Performance: Understanding Drivers of Student Success (Table 12)

Abstract

The issue of timely degree completion at community colleges is critical for educational outcomes and economic mobility. Despite their importance, graduation rates remain low, with only 35.5% completing within 150% of the standard time. Existing research on academic momentum largely focuses on four-year institutions, leaving gaps in understanding community college dynamics. This study examines factors influencing time-to-degree and time-to-transfer for a cohort at a Midwestern community college over six years, using a sample of 3,930 students. Results show that continuous enrollment, high credit load, and GPA momentum positively impact graduation, while the same factors negatively affect transfer rates. These findings highlight the need for tailored strategies to support timely graduation and transfer for community college students.

Authors

• Brenda Payne, University of Toledo

• Snejana Slantcheva-Durst, University of Toledo

• David Dueber, University of Toledo

• Michael D. Toland, University of Toledo