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Inducing Cross-Sector Enrollment for Community College Students through Burden Reduction

Author

Listed:
  • Rachel Baker
  • Michael Hill
  • Gala Ledezma
  • Joshua Dorman
  • Loris Fagioli
  • Pablo Bezem
  • Michael Cooper
  • XunFei Li

Abstract

Although most community college students intend to earn a bachelor’s degree, few successfully transfer to a four-year university. California’s cross-enrollment policy was intended to reduce transfer barriers by allowing community college students to take courses at public universities, yet participation remains extremely low. We present results from a student-level randomized experiment at three California community colleges designed to reduce informational, logistical, and financial barriers to cross-enrollment. Despite substantial student interest, the intervention increased applications by only 1.2 percentage points and successful enrollment by 0.7 percentage points. Results underscore the limits of individual-level supports in the face of complex procedural barriers.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Baker & Michael Hill & Gala Ledezma & Joshua Dorman & Loris Fagioli & Pablo Bezem & Michael Cooper & XunFei Li, 2026. "Inducing Cross-Sector Enrollment for Community College Students through Burden Reduction," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 116, pages 371-375, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:116:y:2026:p:371-375
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20261104
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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