Article
Critical factors to drive community college affordability, student persistence and success
Nov. 14, 2022 · Authored by Kimberly Macedo, John Runte, Morgan Druce
Colleges and universities throughout the U.S. face a variety of risks impacting student success and their overall financial sustainability, including several challenges pertaining to affordability and the return on investment (ROI) from the degrees and programs offered by the institution.
While the higher education spotlight often shines on four-year institutions, it is important to distinguish the specific issues that community colleges encounter. After all, these schools provide critical educational and career path opportunities for a diverse population segment and, in turn, account for much of the U.S. workforce and provide essential jobs to the community.
With that in mind, we examine where community colleges stand today, what risks and warning signs they should be aware of, best practices for mitigating these key issues and, finally, how Baker Tilly can help community colleges chart a course for fiscal resiliency and student success.
In summary, our guidance for community colleges is simple: disrupt or be disrupted. Do not stand still and get shipwrecked by enrollment, affordability and ROI challenges that have effective and proven solutions. Think outside-the-box, be innovative and strongly consider seeking help from experienced higher education resiliency professionals.
Go there with Baker Tilly
Over decades of collaborating with community colleges, we have guided institutions to survive and thrive – financially, operationally, academically, analytically and technologically. Institutions rely on Baker Tilly to identify practical ways to navigate challenges, create solutions and establish a clear path forward to more sustainable operations.
