Data in this section are from the 2021 State of the System report, unless otherwise noted. Data in this section represent the most recent year available and trends over time. Data are unduplicated, so that students who enrolled in more than one college are only counted once for the system-wide totals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the trends in completion?
In 2019-20, the Chancellor’s Office met the Vision for Success goal to increase the number of students earning credentials by 20% (over the 2016-17 baseline year). In 2021-22, 147,475 students earned a credential – this number has been increased by roughly 25% from 117,707 students in the 2016-17 baseline year. Students are counted only once and only for their highest level of achievement.
How many community college students transfer to a four-year university?
In 2020-21, among students who have earned at least 12 units, approximately 142,600 students transferred to a four-year university. About 70% of these students transferred to a University of California or California State University campus. 30% of these students transferred to an in-state or out-of-state private institution. The number of transfer students has increased since 2015-16; however the system has not yet achieved the goal to increase transfer to UC/CSU by 35% over this baseline year. According to the Student Success Metrics cohort view, among students who have earned at least 12 units, around one in eight students transferred to a four-year institution within three years. Around one in six students transferred to a four-year institution within four years.
Student Success Metrics
How many associate degrees for transfer (ADTs) are awarded per academic year?
Approximately 58,350 ADTs were awarded in 2021-22. The number of ADTs awarded has been increasing each year from approximately 28,600 awards in 2015-16 to 62,900 awards in 2020-21, and then decreased slightly to 58,350 awards in 2021-22.
What is the average number of units accumulated by associate degree earners?
The system has made progress in reducing the average number of units to degree and is still working toward the goal of 79 units. In 2021-22, the average number of units to degree was 82, dropping each year from 89 in 2015-16. 60 units are needed for an associate degree.
What percentage of graduates are working in their field of study?
In 2019-20, 68% of graduates were working in their field of study, similar to 69% in 2015-16.
What are completion rates by students’ race/ethnicity?
Racial equity gaps in student completion remain, and the system is working toward reducing these gaps by 2026-27. Among first-time cohort students starting in 2017-18, the rates of attaining the Vision Goal definition of completion or transferring to a four-year institution after 3 years by race/ethnicity were: 12% for Black or African American students, 12% for American Indian/Alaska Native students, 26% for Asian students, 25% for Filipino students, 15% for Hispanic students, 13% for Pacific Islander or Hawaiian Native students, and 22% for White students.
SSM Cohort View
What are completion rates by geographic region?
The system is working to eliminate regional equity gaps in completion by 2026-27. Among first-time cohort students starting in 2017-18, the rates of attaining the Vision Goal definition of completion or transferring to a four-year institution after 3 years by region were: 18% in the Bay Area, 18% in the Central/Mother Lode, 15% in the Inland Empire/Desert, 18% in Los Angeles/Orange County, 15% in the North/Far North, 18% in San Diego/Imperial Counties, and 24% in the South Central Coast.
SSM Cohort View
