Madera Community College is located in the rural Central Valley, with Fresno State being the closest four-year public university approximately 22 miles away. The proximity of community colleges to four-year universities plays a significant role in the transfer rates of students. A recent study by the RP Group, a nonprofit organization conducting research for California’s community colleges, highlighted the challenges faced by students studying far from four-year institutions.
The study found that among the 29 community colleges located more than 25 miles from the nearest California State University or University of California campus, there were lower rates of transfer to four-year institutions. The research team, led by Darla Cooper and Daisy Segovia, noted that colleges located at least 87 miles away from a public university had a transfer rate of 28%, which was 8 percentage points lower than colleges within a 25-mile drive.
The study also revealed disparities in transfer rates among different tiers of community colleges based on their proximity to four-year institutions. Colleges located 27 to 78 miles away from a California university had a transfer rate of 33%, slightly lower than the 36% transfer rate for colleges within a 25-mile commute.
Factors such as completing transferable courses, seeking academic advice, and participating in student programs were identified as common practices among students who successfully transferred to four-year institutions. Additionally, cost was cited as a significant barrier to continuing education for California community college students.
The study comes at a time when there is a growing need to address regional worker shortages in fields like education and nursing, prompting discussions on expanding bachelor’s degree offerings at community colleges. While California has allowed community colleges to offer bachelor’s degree programs, there are still restrictions in place to prevent duplication of existing programs offered by CSU and UC campuses.
The research by the RP Group also explored the concept of “education deserts” – areas with limited access to colleges or universities. The study categorized community colleges based on their proximity to public universities in California and identified demographic trends among students attending colleges located in these “education deserts.”
Future research plans include examining the impact of proximity to four-year colleges on students’ educational experiences and outcomes. The study also highlighted some of the barriers faced by community college students living far from four-year universities, such as transportation costs and limited admission opportunities.
Overall, the study sheds light on the challenges faced by students studying at community colleges located far from four-year institutions and suggests potential strategies to improve transfer rates and access to bachelor’s degree programs.