Choosing a program of study is one of the most important decisions a college student makes, with long-term consequences for employment and earnings. Because community colleges are complex, understaffed, and offer such varied programs of study, students often find it difficult to navigate college structures and identify career paths aligned with their goals. The lack of research into how community college students make a decision about a program, who they listen to, what experiences are most impactful, and how their decision-making changes over time makes it difficult for colleges to design and implement appropriate onboarding and advising interventions.
This research project uses surveys and interviews with students, faculty, and staff, as well as administrative data, to explore students’ decision-making about programs of study and what perceptions students have about their programs over the course of their college careers. In the first phase of the study, through 2025, researchers surveyed 4,500 first-time-in-college students three times to gather information about their awareness of programs, perceptions of programs, and out-of-college support and experiences, among other topics, and how their perceptions changed over time. The second phase of the study includes two additional survey waves. It will allow researchers to explore how students’ decisions evolve over time and to follow students as they graduate, transfer, leave college, or continue to pursue a credential.
The findings of this study can be used to help colleges create better systems and processes to ensure that all students have opportunities to reflect on their personal goals and interests, make connections to faculty and peers who have similar goals and interests, explore fields they might not have initially considered, and develop personalized plans that they can use to get on and stay on a rewarding academic and career path.
Rachel Baker of the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education is co-PI of the project. Funding for this project is provided by Ascendium Education Group.