Tuition-Free Community College and Student Retention: Causal Evidence From 31 Promise Programs in California

• In Event: Expanding Access: The Implementation and Effects of College Access and Retention Initiatives

Abstract

Research shows that statewide community college promise programs improve college enrollment. However, little is known about the effects of single, free community college promise programs on longer-term outcomes like retention rates. We also need to understand the precise mechanisms driving any potential relationships. Using panel data created from IPEDS information and employing a difference-in-differences methodology, we examine the impact of tuition-free community college promise programs (N = 31) on student persistence to the second year of college. We do not find strong evidence that these programs significantly improve student retention rates. One possible reason is that community colleges, receiving these promise program scholarships, may spend less on support services, which does not help students retain and graduate.

Authors

• Lu Xu, University of Washington

• Jeremy Wright-Kim, University of Michigan