A recent report by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) indicates that employers regard community college bachelor’s degrees the same way as four-year college bachelor’s degrees – especially in the field of early childhood education.
What Did the Study Find?
The researchers sent 4,698 resumes to employers in Texas and Washington State, all with a similar set of qualifications in the form of work experience. The researchers sent 4,698 resumes to employers in Texas and Washington State, all of which had a similar set of qualifications: work experience.
The study revealed that the location of applicants’ bachelor’s degree did not matter to employers.
Interview Rates Were Similar
According to the findings:
- Around 22%–23% of applicants received interview invitations.
- Approximately 10%–13% were asked for additional information.
- Employer responses were generally similar across all degree types.
Texas Employers Requested More Details
Overall, the treatment of applicants by employers was comparable but a few employers in Texas were slightly more likely to request additional information on applicants’ qualifications if they held a bachelor’s degree from community college.
Why This Matters
The results indicate that community college bachelor’s degrees are an acceptable route to a job, particularly in high-demand professions such as early childhood education. They also emphasize that the programs are becoming more popular with employers.
The NSBC study suggests that students who earn a bachelor’s degree at a community college are able to compete in the labor market. With the growth of these programs, they could provide students an affordable option to 4-year college programs that might not have an impact on their employment opportunities.
