SAN ANTONIO, April 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the
95th American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
Annual Convention, Cengage Learning, a leading global education
company, revealed new student data depicting how community colleges
fit into today's educational landscape. Most notably, 98% of more
than 4,250 students surveyed agree that community colleges are an
important part of the United
States' educational system.
"Community colleges are the heartbeat, the backbone of the
education system, and we now have the content and technology to
make the experience even more effective for today's students," said
Michael Hansen, CEO, Cengage
Learning. "We need to make sure we have an educated workforce, fit
for purpose, and ready to compete in an increasingly global
environment. With the majority of new jobs being created requiring
some postsecondary education, community colleges are the answer for
a large percentage of the student population."
According to remarks made by President Obama earlier this year,
forty percent of the country's college students choose community
college, which echoes data from Cengage Learning illustrating that
forty percent of surveyed students indicated current enrollment in
a community college. An additional 24% of surveyed students said
they have been enrolled in community college in the past and have
since transferred.
Cengage Learning student survey results highlight the reasons
that students choose to enroll in community college with 69% of
enrolled community college students indicating financial savings as
a key dynamic compared to a four year institution. Convenience
factors were also major contributors to why students select
community college as an option, including proximity of the
institution to where students live, course offerings that students
need/want, and classes that fit students' schedules (66%, 46% and
43% respectively). In addition, 37% of students enrolled at
community college noted that they hope to transfer and 26% enroll
to improve their grades or study skills before attending a
four-year institution.
"Community colleges are diverse institutions that serve a wide
variety of needs. The comprehensive mission of community
colleges makes them attractive to a broad range of people --
including students who are looking to gain skills for a particular
job, pursue an associate degree to transfer to a 4-year
institution, or complete a certificate or technical training," said
Walter G. Bumphus, President and
CEO, AACC. "Our colleges also serve the community by adapting
quickly to the needs of local businesses to provide training and
economic development opportunities. Community colleges are
the gateway to postsecondary education and well-paying jobs for
many minority, low income, and first-generation students."
Interestingly, Cengage Learning research shows that two-year
college students feel their classes are more relevant for an
eventual job, as compared to those attending four-year institutions
(45% compared to 31%). Separately, of 2,686 students surveyed who
are enrolled in community college, 56% indicated that they
completed pre-requisite courses in order to prepare for a four-year
program. 55% learned college-level study skills and 41% used
community college to become accustomed to student life again in
preparation for further schooling.
For more information on Cengage Learning's student survey and
research results, please visit the Cengage Learning booth (#304) at
the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual
Convention April 18- 21 in
San Antonio, TX.
About Cengage Learning
Cengage Learning is a leading
educational content, technology, and services company for the
higher education and K-12, professional and library markets
worldwide. The company provides superior content, personalized
services and course-driven digital solutions that accelerate
student engagement and transform the learning experience. Cengage
Learning is headquartered in Boston,
MA with an office hub located in San Francisco, CA. Cengage Learning employees
reside in nearly 40 different countries with company sales in more
than 125 countries around the world. www.cengage.com.
Media Contact:
Lindsay Stanley
Cengage Learning
203-965-8634
Lindsay.Stanley@cengage.com
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SOURCE Cengage Learning