PUBLIC POLICY

INTERACTIVE STATE COMPARISONS

A new survey by Opportunity America, Lumina Foundation and Wilder Research explores what makes community colleges different from four-year colleges and universities: their student profile and distinctive mission.

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, state policymakers are awash with federal funding. They should use it wisely to help community colleges realize their potential as engines of economic competitiveness and upward mobility.

LABOR MARKET RELEVANCE

Workforce education that isn’t aligned with the local labor market is worthless—a waste of learners’ time and taxpayers’ money.

FUNDING

Pell Grants don’t generally cover the cost of noncredit workforce programs, so students must find other ways to pay.

DATA

Policymakers seeking to make good on the promise of noncredit workforce education need more information.

LIFELONG LEARNING

Noncredit workforce students seeking to advance their careers should be able to return to college later in life for more education.

LEARN MORE

Top findings
Students and programs

(interactive state comparisons)

Employers and industry certifications