The Characteristics of Occupational Students in Postsecondary Education

This brief presents a profile of the enrollment, demographic, and educational characteristics and educational goals of community college students in occupational programs. It compares their features with those of community college students in academic programs and with baccalaureate students. This analysis identifies and highlights the distinctive enrollment and demographic characteristics of occupational students and contrasts them with other, more widely studied students in postsecondary education. The brief concludes with policy recommendations that could promote beneficial educational outcomes for postsecondary occupational students.