1、Gen Z Attitudes Toward Higher Education:Community colleges versus four-year degreesSURVEY CONDUCTED JULY 2023Key insights from the July 2023 Gen Z higher ed survey The majority of students surveyed see a four-year degree as having a higher ROI compared with a community college degree,regardless of t

2、he degree program they are currently enrolled in.The majority of community college students surveyed report being likely or extremely likely to transfer,even though only 30%of community college students actually do.Though both first-generation college and continuing-generation students were more lik

3、ely to consider a bachelors degree program than an associates program,first-generation college students were enrolled in associates programs at much higher rates.When weighing the advantages of attending community colleges versus four-year institutions,both first-generation college and continuing-ge

4、neration students share similar viewpoints with subtle differences:First-generation college students view the supportive learning environment as the advantageous benefit.Continuing-generation students view career training as more beneficial.Students cited various reasons behind their hesitation to a

5、ttend a four-year program;the majority of responses focused on the cost and flexibility of the respective degree programs.When making decisions on educational institutes to attend,Gen Z students ranked college career centers as their preferred choice of guidance:First-generation college students sho

6、wed a higher preference for external organizations and family and friends in contrast to their continuing-generation peers.Low-income students favored self-search compared with the students from other income groups.Gen Z Students value four-year degrees more than available alternativesSource:2023 BC

7、G/America Needs You proprietary web survey and analysis;US Bureau of Labor Statistics,2022.1Question text:How would you compare the value or ROI of degrees from community colleges and four-year colleges?Gen Z students see the value of a four-year degreeand rightfully so.Graduates with bachelors degr

8、ees earn 42%more than those with associates degrees and experience a 19%lower unemployment rate.Of students surveyed,the majority(60%)saw a four-year degree as having a higher ROI compared with a community college degree.The same holds true even for those students currently enrolled in an associates

9、 degree program,with 53%considering a four-year degree as slightly more or more valuable than a community college degree.STUDENT COMPARISON OF THE ROI OF DEGREES(%OF RESPONDENTS)127100100100100273634253096Continuing-gen3First-gen32194134193888Bachelorsstudents1Associates studentsCommunity colleges m

10、ore valuableCommunity colleges slightly more valuableBoth hold the same valueFour-year colleges slightly more valuableFour-year colleges more valuable12Although bachelors degrees were favored by students,first-generation college students had significantly higher enrollment rates in associates progra

11、msSource:2023 BCG/America Needs You proprietary web survey and analysis.1Question text:Please rate the higher education institutions that you considered attending,.2Question text:Which of the following apply to you?:I am in a bachelors degree program(i.e.,college/university student),I am in a master

12、s degree program;I am in an associates degree program(i.e.,community college student);I am in a trade school(i.e.,auto,cosmetic,electric,plumbing);I am planning on attending a bachelors degree program;I am planning on attending an associates degree program;I am planning on attending a trade school;N

13、ot planning on attending any postsecondary institution.Across demographics,students surveyed were more likely to consider a bachelors degree program than an associates program.However,when compared with their continuing-generation peers,first-generation college students more frequently enroll in ass

14、ociates degree programs or trade schools.%OF STUDENTS CONSIDERING DEGREE PROGRAMS1%OF STUDENT ENROLLMENT BY DEGREE PROGRAM2Did not considerConsideredHighly consideredAssociatesTrade schoolBachelorsMastersContinuing-genFirst-genContinuing-genFirst-gen19436043188631001004361433413Associates6Bachelors3

15、579392026Associates1Bachelors100100100100Only a fraction of community college students transfer to four-year colleges,and an even smaller percentage of those students successfully graduate70%80%of community college students intend to transfer to a four-year program.but only 30%40%actually transfer.a

16、nd only half of those complete a bachelors degree.For low-income students,only 25%actually transfer.and only 10%graduate within six years of first entry.Source:2023 BCG/America Needs You proprietary web survey and analysis;National Student Clearinghouse Research Center,20222023.The majority of assoc

17、iates students expressed interest in transferring to four-year colleges;continuing-generation students were more confident in their plansSources:2023 BCG/America Needs You proprietary web survey and analysis;National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics,National Survey of College Graduates,

18、2019.1Question text:How likely are you to consider transferring from a community college to a four-year college if given the opportunity?Of students surveyed who were enrolled at a community college,70%reported being likely to transfer to a four-year college.First-generation college students were le

19、ss confident in their transfer plans than their continuing-generation peers(34%versus 44%extremely likely,and 7%versus 15%not likely/extremely unlikely).Students who do transfer from community college make up half of bachelors degree recipients.%OF ASSOCIATES STUDENTS BY LIKELIHOOD OF TRANSFERRING14

20、434263410201565Continuing-gen16First-genExtremely unlikelyNot consideredNot likelyNeutralLikelyExtremely likely100100First-generation college students and continuing-generation students have similar perceptions of the benefits of attending community colleges versus four-year schoolsSource:2023 BCG/A

21、merica Needs You proprietary web survey and analysis.1Question text:What do you perceive as the main advantages of attending a community college?2Question text:What do you perceive as the main advantages of attending a four-year college?There are slight nuances:While continuing-generation students p

22、erceive career training offerings as slightly more advantageous.first-generation college students are more likely to see the supportive learning environment as a higher benefit of community colleges.CONTINUING-GENPerceived advantages of community colleges1FIRST-GENAffordabilityFlexibilityCareer trai

23、ningSmaller class sizesExplorationof interestsTransfer pathways&transition supportAffordabilityFlexibilityCareer trainingSmaller class sizesExplorationof interestsSupportive learning environmentCONTINUING-GENPerceived advantages of four-year colleges2FIRST-GENBroadly recognizeddegreeAdvanced career

24、opportunitiesAcademicspecializationsNetworking andconnectionsGreater access to resources&supportCampus life andextracurricularsBroadly recognizeddegreeAdvanced careeropportunitiesGreater access toresources&supportNetworking andconnectionsResearchopportunitiesAcademicspecializations123456When asked a

25、bout considerations when selecting a college,the majority of students ranked all options as important or very importantSource:2023 BCG/America Needs You proprietary web survey and analysis.1Question text:How important are the following factors in your decision-making process for selecting a higher e

26、ducation institution to attend?STUDENT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN SELECTING A COLLEGE(%)12538383921209161001001001001001001001001001001695525325111262662920811524414645381221121241454131131913Continuing-genFirst-genContinuing-genFirst-genContinuing-genFirst-genContinuing-genFirst-genContinuing-genFirst-gen

27、Not a considerationNot importantNeutralImportantVery importantSupport servicesCareer support and job placementLocationCost and affordabilityAcademic programs and majorsContinuing-generation studentsperceive as more importantFirst-generation college studentsperceive as more important14Survey particip

28、ants cited various reasons behind their hesitation to attend a four-year programSource:2023 BCG/America Needs You proprietary web survey and analysis.Across Gen Z students,the majority of survey responses focused on the cost and flexibility of the respective degree programs.Students who chose to enr

29、oll in a community college after considering both options cited the following factors as their main reservations in attending four-year school:First-generation college students in particular expressed concerns about cost and whether they would have enough support to handle the increased workload:1Co

30、st of attendance 2Distance from home 3Extra time it would take to earn adegree and enter the workforceMy main concern is the price difference between the two,plus the workload and amount of time that you have to put into a four-year degree.Im concerned about the cost and my doubts about myself being

31、 able to handle the workload.The price is the main thing for me,and for my chosen career path,I only needed the associates.Even if I wanted to go on to do a four-year degree,I can still get the same education for the first two years at a community college and then transfer once Ive finished that.Stu

32、dents see the value of a four-year degree and begin their higher education journeys with the intention of earning oneSource:2023 BCG/America Needs You proprietary web survey and analysis.However,first-generation college students and low-income students face more significant barriers and are less lik

33、ely to meet their transfer and graduation goals.These students need additional support to reach the finish line.But where do they look to for support,and how can colleges and external organizations best support them?Continuing-generation students have more sources of college choice support,especiall

34、y personal networks;first-generation college students are more likely to engage with external organizationsSource:2023 BCG/America Needs You proprietary web survey and analysis.1Question text:Have you sought advice or information about four-year colleges,community colleges,or trade schools from the

35、following sources?When navigating the decision-making process of where to attend college,continuing-generation students more frequently seek advice from family and friends,college career centers,online communities,and their professional networks.while first-generation college students more frequentl

36、y leverage external organizations.6556524440323344272071129Family&friendsHigh school counselorCollege career eventsCollege career centerOnline communitiesProfessional networkExternal organizations814 p.p.16 p.p.8 p.p.0 p.p.4 p.p.7 p.p.+4 p.p.%OF STUDENTS REPORTING SEEKING ADVICE/INFORMATION BY SOURC

37、E1Continuing-genFirst-genWhen asked about their preferred sources of information when deciding on the educational institutions they will attend,Gen Z students ranked college career center as the number one sourceSource:22023 BCG/America Needs You proprietary web survey and analysis.Note:Respondents

38、were asked to rank nine different sources in order of most to least preferred.1Question text:Which of the following sources do you most prefer to receive career-readiness resources and information from?Notably,first-generation college students ranked external organizations and family and friends as

39、more preferred compared with their continuing-generation peers.Low-income students preferred to self-search compared with the students of other income groups.Continuing-genTOP SOURCES OF INFORMATION THAT STUDENTS PREFER TO USE WHEN MAKING DECISION ON EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS1First-genCollege careerc

40、enterProfessionalnetworkSelf-searching(e.g.,online resource)Self-searching(e.g.,online resource)My internshipExternalorganizationsCollege careercenterExternalorganizationsProfessionalnetworkSelf-searching(e.g.,online resource)Family and friendsHigh-/mid-incomeLow-incomeCollege careercenterProfession

41、alnetworkExternalorganizationsExternalorganizationsFamily and friendsProfessionalnetworkFamily and friendsMy internshipCollege careercenter12345Enrollment,transfer,and persistence statistics indicate that first-generation college students and low-income students need the most support in enrolling in

42、 higher education and attaining a degree.They primarily rely on support from external organizations,college career centers,and self-searching(e.g.,online resources)compared with other groups.Survey results highlight the mismatch between what resources students actually use and what they would prefer

43、 to use when making a decision on higher education.For example,although first-generation college students are 16 percentage points less likely to seek advice from family and friends,they prefer seeking advice from family and friends at higher rates than their continuing-generation peers.To effective

44、ly address the needs of these students,there must be an increased emphasis on and investment into these areas from the respective college communities and external organizations.These investments should be centered around providing new,up-to-date,and targeted content that is relevant to these disadva

45、ntaged student groups,providing crucial support during their decision-making process for higher education institutions.Source:2023 BCG/America Needs You proprietary web survey and analysis.Publication notes(I/II)Definitions First-generation college students(“first-gen”):Those who do not have a paren

46、t or guardian who has achieved a bachelors degree.Continuing-generation students(“continuing-gen”):Those who have at least one parent or guardian who has achieved a bachelors degree or higher.Low-income students:Those with household income less than$50,000 per year.Mid-income students:Those with hou

47、sehold income between$50,000$99,999 per year.High-income students:Those with household income of$100,000 or greater per year.BIPOC students:Those who identify their race/ethnicity as Black/African American,Latino/Hispanic,Asian/Pacific Islander,American Indian/Alaskan Native/Indigenous,or multiethni

48、c.MethodologyBCG and America Needs You conducted this survey in July of 2023.A total of 543 students participated,330 of whom are represented in this study as Gen Z(ages 18 to 25).The majority attended/are attending four-year programs(55%),with the remaining split between community college(32%)and t

49、rade school(13%).The 32-question survey,conducted online,elicited college students attitudes toward higher education,resources,and sources of support used when making decisions on higher education,and attitudes toward and use of AI.The survey also asked about resources students use to prepare for hi

50、gher education,including nonprofit programs that support historically underrepresented groups in higher education and professional careers.Demographic information gathered in the survey(such as parent/guardians highest level of education,students family income,and students race/ethnicity)made it pos

51、sible to analyze responses across a variety of dimensions.Approximately 43%percent of respondents were first-generation college students,meaning that neither parent/guardian has a four-year or bachelors degree.According to Brookings,approximately 43%of entering college students in the class of 2015

52、were first-generation college students.The survey also included several open-ended questions.Responses to those questions furnish the direct quotes that appear throughout the report.Publication notes(II/II)About America Needs YouThe mission of America Needs You is to fight for economic mobility for

53、ambitious first-generation college students.For over a decade,ANY has provided award-winning,transformative mentorship and intensive career-development training to over 3,000 low-income,first-generation college students.On average,over the past ten years,over 90%of students served by ANY have comple

54、ted internships and completed a bachelors degree program,and nearly 80%have secured a full-time job with a competitive salary within six months of earning their diploma.About BCG Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and captu

55、re their greatest opportunities.BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963.Today,we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholdersempowering organizations to grow,build sustainable competitive advantage,and drive positi

56、ve societal impact.Our diverse,global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change.BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting,technology and design,and corporate and digital ventures.We work in a u

57、niquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization,fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place.BCG writersJohn Wilson is a managing director and partner in the Los Angeles office of Boston Consultin

58、g Group.You may contact him by email at .Santiago Ferrer is a managing director and partner in BCGs Los Angeles office.You may contact him by email at .Savannah Burchfiel is a project leader in BCGs Los Angeles office.You may contact her by email at .Additional BCG authors:Henry Xie,Brittany Napier,

59、and Jordan Hershman.ANY writersJake Moreno Coplon is the chief executive officer of America Needs You.You may contact him by email at jake.morenocoplonamericaneedsyou.org.Emily Ashton is the chief external affairs officer of America Needs You.You may contact her by email at emily.ashtonamericaneedsy

60、ou.org.Anna Verdiyan is the chief operating officer of America Needs You.You may contact her by email at anna.verdiyanamericaneedsyou.org.AcknowledgmentsWe would like to thank the extended team at America Needs You for their insights and contributions to this work.Additionally,we thank our survey pa

61、rtners at Dynata and IncQuery for providing in-kind donations in support of this project.IncQuery is the leading programming provider of due diligence and strategy surveys.Its collaborative coauthoring platform,combined with support from experienced survey directors,empowers professionals to quickly

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