Two-year community colleges are just as good as four-year colleges and universities in the eyes of most U.S. adults, a new survey has found.
Results of the Gallup poll show Americans are about as likely to rate the quality of education offered at two-year community as “excellent’’ or “good’’ (66%) as they are for four-year schools (70%).
However, when it comes to schools offering online-only courses, people are less positive. Just more than a third (36%) rated them highly, nearly the same as those who viewed them as “only fair.’’
The findings were based on results of a June 2-7 poll and mirrored conclusions of a similar study done in October 2013 that posed the same questions.
Among survey respondents, those with college degrees or at least some college viewed four-year and two-year schools more favorably than those with a high school education or less.
Generally, all education groups viewed online schools about the same, with post-college graduates having slightly less regard.
Age also didn’t make a huge difference in people’s attitudes. Seventy percent of respondents ages 18 to 29 rated four-year schools favorably compared with 65% among those ages 65 and older.
Differences were slightly more apparent for two-year schools, with 58% of 18- to 29-year-olds rating them highly, compared with 71% among those ages 65 and older.
Opinions about online colleges were about the same for all age groups.
Results were based on telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,527 adults nationwide.
The poll comes at a time when more emphasis is being placed on community colleges and the affordability of higher education. Earlier this year, President Barack Obama proposed offering two years of community college for free.
While Americans view four-year and two-year colleges similarly, community colleges face their own challenges. Their students have lower graduation rates and often struggle transitioning into four-year schools and, eventually, the workforce.
On the other hand, four-year colleges are often harder to get into and are more expensive.
Previous Gallup research has shown online programs offer a good value and provide a broad course offerings, even if they lack in areas such as instruction and grading.
While online programs are unlikely to become as popular as traditional colleges anytime soon, they are likely to be incorporated into brick-and-mortar schools more frequently.
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