Table of Contents
July 2023
The role of community colleges in US higher education has never been more important. In addition to workforce development, community colleges help narrow the gap between income and wealth. They provide educational opportunities to demographics that would otherwise not be able to access a degree, including–and especially–adult learners.
About 28% of adults in America do not possess any post-secondary degree. That’s a staggering 64 million adults whose highest educational attainment is a high school diploma or equivalent. This has serious implications in a lot of areas, not least of which is quality of life and social mobility as employment rate increases with educational attainment. And with it, earning potential.
Data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Associate’s Degree holders earn more than $1,000 per month than those without a post-secondary degree. Throughout their lifetime, they will earn $400,000 more. Additionally, top-earning Associate’s Degree holders cross the six-figure threshold at $105,000 per year while their high school diploma-holder counterparts earn $14,000 less per year.
An increase in earning potential can lead to greater financial stability and improved quality of life for adult learners and their families. Throughout their careers, adult learners may find it easier to qualify for promotions or new job opportunities with a degree. They benefit from skill development, access to specialized training, and to a professional network from their time earning a degree. It also demonstrates their commitment to continuous learning and development, which employers value.
In 2021, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) surveyed more than 2,000 adult learners and found the following as the most common barriers:
Community colleges are well-positioned to attract adult learners to enroll in college.
Here are four key areas where community colleges can focus on to encourage adult learners to enroll in college.
One such partner is BibliU. The company’s offering, Universal Learning, is a digital-first, day one access to course materials.
With BibliU’s Universal Learning, colleges can increase their competitive advantage in attracting adult learners to enroll by:
Discover how your institution can lower textbook costs and boost student success: Learn more about BibliU Universal Learning.
As consolidation reshapes the higher ed ecosystem, institutions are navigating a complex trade-offs. This blog explores how some market shifts increase risk and reduce choice — and how BibliU is building a different model: one that puts institutional priorities and stability first.
Building on a recent Campus Convos episode with N2N Services CEO Kiran Kodithala, this blog dives into how AI-driven tools are helping institutions detect financial fraud early and protect valuable resources—safeguarding access for real learners, especially at open-access institutions.