Understanding Student Costs of Workforce Training in Community Colleges
Community colleges are an important pathway to affordable education and workforce training. Many offer short, non-credit programs that help students quickly prepare for in demand jobs in areas like healthcare and information technology. However, we still don’t have a full picture of what these programs really cost students. Expenses beyond tuition—such as licensing fees, transportation, technology, and childcare—are often hidden and can make it hard for students to finish.
This project, funded by the Strada Education Foundation, will generate the first systematic estimates of the total costs students incur to attend and complete non-credit workforce programs at community colleges. By combining institutional data, direct input from students, and guidance from experts, we will develop a comprehensive cost framework that captures both direct and indirect expenses.
During this project, AIR will:
- Review existing research on healthcare and IT credentials and related affordability research;
- Partner with up to 10 community colleges to collect data on program costs and supports;
- Engage students through interviews and focus groups to document their experiences that may lead to uncovering hidden costs; and
- Produce a validated cost framework, estimates for specific programs, and actionable recommendations for policymakers, funders, and institutional leaders.
