The question of why postsecondary institutions produce different labor market outcomes is difficult to answer due to unobserved student characteristics. Here, I leverage students' geographic proximity to three classifications of postsecondary institutions -- earnings-enhancing, competitive, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).…

Prior research indicates that future workers will not possess enough training to contribute to a robust U.S. labor market, especially in "middle-skill" roles that require some postsecondary education but not a 4-year degree. At the same time, the last 30 years have borne witness to an increased likelihood that middle-skill individuals…

It is commonly understood that education is one of the most reliable paths to economic security-- particularly for Black and Latinx people and for people from low-wealth families. But it is less well known that the greatest unmet labor market demand is for workers with "middle skills," who have some postsecondary training but not a…

The term dual, or concurrent, enrollment refers to the broad array of programs available to high school students that allow them to take college-level courses for credit. Dual enrollment creates multiple pathways to college by enabling high school students to take: (1) selected academic courses on college campuses; (2) college-led academic courses…

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a key ingredient in meeting the needs of Utah's economy. Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) institutions offer CTE programs in all regions of the state, working closely with local business and industry leaders to develop and deliver programs specifically tailored to local workforce needs. This report…

This survey of mass communication programs' attitudes and practices found unpaid student internships are more likely at unaccredited programs and where the highest degree offered is a bachelor's. Advisers at bachelor's programs also are more likely to agree academic credit appropriately substitutes for monetary payment. Although most advisers…

Using detailed administrative data from Virginia, this paper examines whether community college "vertical transfer" students who resemble "native four-year" students in their accumulated college-level credits and performance at their point of entry into the four-year sector perform equally well in terms of both academic and…

Despite having been the largest source of financial aid to low-income college students in the United States, the traditional Pell Grant had one major limitation: If students enrolled in two semesters full-time, they would not have had any tuition support for the summer term of the same academic year. The year-round Pell (YRP) was implemented in…

The Florida Economic Security Report details economic outcomes of recent completers from Florida's public postsecondary educational institutions. Data from the State University System of Florida (SUS), the Florida College System (FCS), and District Technical Centers (DTCs) are included in this report. The report aims to document the variation in…

This report includes data on a diverse and broad array of Career and Technical Education (CTE), credit and noncredit offerings, provided by the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) institutions that prepare people for employment in current or emerging occupations that require postsecondary credentials other than a baccalaureate or advanced…

This report provides an annual update on performance metrics for the Maricopa County Community Colleges District (MCCCD), including progress toward MCCCD Governing Board Outcomes. Three key areas are analyzed to determine student and organizational performance as follows: (1) Leading Indicators of Student Success; (2) Completion Outcomes; and (3)…

Two-year colleges have served as vital stepping-stones for students seeking to earn a bachelor's degree. To achieve that goal, these students must complete their current program's requirements and then matriculate at a four-year college--a process known as "vertical transfer." This is commonly extolled as a cost-saving strategy, but it…

Nationwide, graduation rates at community colleges are discouragingly low. This randomized experiment provides evidence that graduation rates can be increased dramatically. The City University of New York's (CUNY) Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) is a comprehensive, integrated, 3-year program that has an estimated 18 percentage point…

The growing cost of college is one of the most significant barriers to completion. However, research shows that frequent, intensive advising, combined with financial and other support, can make a tremendous difference in helping students complete. For two years, TICAS has worked with a group of rigorously evaluated organizations across the country…

This brief focuses on internships and co-ops because this form of experiential learning is most common on college campuses. The Collegiate Employment Research Institute (CERI) asked respondents a series of questions about internships and co-ops, including the number of hires, academic majors, and hourly wages. Eighty-eight percent of respondents…