While the economic benefits of a college degree have grown significantly in recent decades, racial and socioeconomic disparities in higher education attainment persist and, in some cases, have widened. A new IZA discussion paper by Riley Acton, Kalena E. Cortes, Lois Miller, and Camila Morales sheds light on the critical but often overlooked role of college proximity in shaping enrollment and degree outcomes, demonstrating how geographic access influences educational attainment across demographic groups.
Community college deserts reduce opportunities for many
Students living in “community college deserts” — areas without a two-year public college within a 30-minute drive — face significant barriers to postsecondary success. The research, based on data from Texas public high school graduates between 2013 and 2017, shows that these students are 2.7 percentage points less likely to complete an associate’s degree within six years of high school graduation. This gap is driven by lower enrollment rates in two-year colleges and reduced credit accumulation among those who do enroll.
Disadvantaged groups face the greatest setbacks
The absence of nearby community colleges impacts students differently depending on their background. Higher-income, White, and Asian students often compensate by enrolling in four-year universities, maintaining their overall degree completion rates. However, economically disadvantaged, Black, and Hispanic students frequently forgo postsecondary education entirely when community colleges are inaccessible. This results in reduced completion rates for both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, underscoring the importance of community colleges as pathways to higher education.
The overall impact is stark: living in a community college desert is associated with a 3.3 percentage point decline in degree attainment for underrepresented minority (URM) students and a 2.6 percentage point drop for economically disadvantaged students. These effects persist up to eight years after high school graduation, illustrating the long-term consequences of limited geographic access.
Expanding community colleges can close gaps
Community colleges play a crucial “democratizing” role, providing essential access to higher education for underrepresented groups. Policies that prioritize expanding the geographic reach of community colleges, particularly in racially and economically diverse areas, could help mitigate persistent disparities in educational attainment. Interventions that reduce geographic barriers, such as building new campuses or enhancing transportation options, offer a promising path to fostering greater equity and improving economic mobility.
This research emphasizes the urgent need to integrate geographic access into higher education policy to ensure that all students, regardless of background or location, have the opportunity to succeed.