Recently, researchers with the Center for Analysis of Postsecondary Education and Employment (CAPSEE) measured the wages of former students who had earned short-term certificates from community colleges in Virginia and North Carolina and found significant positive returns on employment and earnings, but with much variation across career fields.
In addition, CAPSEE researchers have released a study examining the qualities of North Carolina community colleges based on student employment outcomes. The analysis concludes by focusing on two community colleges that were found to be high performing for student outcomes, and two that were low performing. The high-performing schools are in urban areas, with multiple campuses and serving areas with lower unemployment rates. They have relatively few students taking remedial courses, offer wraparound and veterans’ services, and have strong industry partnerships. On the other hand, the lower performing community colleges are in rural areas with high unemployment, are smaller, have higher remediation rates, and offer fewer degree and certificate programs as well as fewer support services.