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Community College Bachelor's Degrees: How CCB Graduates' Earnings Compare to AAs and BAs

Author

Listed:
  • Acton, Riley

    (Miami University)

  • Morales, Camila

    (University of Texas at Dallas)

  • Cortes, Kalena

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Turner, Julia

    (Northwestern University)

  • Miller, Lois

    (University of South Carolina)

Abstract

We provide the first descriptive analysis of the economic value of Community College Baccalaureate (CCB) degrees by examining graduates' early-career earnings, the costs of completing these programs, and the alignment between field of study and subsequent employment. Using administrative data and controlling for institution and field, we find that CCB graduates earn $4,000 to $9,000 more annually than Associate's (AA) degree holders one year after graduation but experience average earnings penalties of roughly $2,000 relative to traditional Bachelor's (BA) recipients. These averages mask substantial heterogeneity: penalties are largest in Computer and Information Technology and Engineering Technology, whereas CCB graduates in Nursing, other Healthcare fields, Business, and Criminal Justice exhibit minimal or no penalties. To contextualize these returns, we analyze tuition and fee structures across CCB-granting institutions and identify two dominant pricing models—constant and escalating. Total CCB program costs fall between those of AA and BA degrees, with escalating structures increasing upper-division prices by about 40 percent.

Suggested Citation

  • Acton, Riley & Morales, Camila & Cortes, Kalena & Turner, Julia & Miller, Lois, 2026. "Community College Bachelor's Degrees: How CCB Graduates' Earnings Compare to AAs and BAs," IZA Discussion Papers 18400, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18400
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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