A DULT L EARNERS R ESEARCH Prepared For: Walker + Associates January 2015 Policy, Planning, and Research Tennessee Higher Education Commission

ADULT LEARNERS RESEARCH

Prepared For:Walker + Associates

January 2015

Policy, Planning, and ResearchTennessee Higher Education Commission

Walker + Associates 2

Table of Contents

Slide

Background and Methodology 3

Summary of Findings 4

Likelihood of Returning to School 7

College Attendance 12

Obstacles to Returning to School 29

Attitudes About Education 35

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) 42

Important Factors in Returning to School 59

Predisposition Toward Future Education 91

Information About Returning to School 108

Respondent Profile 128

Appendix A: Other Schools Attended (If More Than One) 141


Background and Methodology The Policy, Planning, and Research (PPR) division of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has

commissioned Walker + Associates to provide branding and communication services related to adult learning programs. The intent of promoting these programs is to boost college re-enrollment and graduation among adult learners as part of a larger initiative to increase the percentage of college-educated Tennesseans (“Drive to 55”).

The goal of this research is to gain an understanding of the target audience for adult learning programs – their current life situations, reasons they stopped attending college, potential motivators for attending, and informational and situational needs related to resuming their college education.

A total of 410 surveys were collected from October 24, 2014 to November 4, 2014 by an online consumer panel supervised by Message Factors.

Qualified respondents included Tennessee residents, between the ages of 25-64, with some college experience but no degree or certificate.

Headers shown throughout the report include:

Number of Stopouts (None, 1, 2+) Number of Schools Attended (1, 2, 3+) Likelihood to Return to School (Extremely/Very, Somewhat, Not Very/Not At All) Career Level (Entry, Mid-Level, Management/Senior Leadership) Household Income (Under $50,000 versus $50,000+) Kids in Household (No versus Yes) Gender (Male versus Female) Geography based on ZIP code (Urban versus Rural) Motivation for Returning to School:

o Financial (“Completely Agree” with statement “A college degree or certificate would improve my career/earning potential”)

o Emotional (“Completely Agree” with statements “I would feel a sense of personal accomplishment if I earned a college degree or certificate” and “Completing my degree or certificate would make me a good role model for my family”)

o Both Financial and Emotional (“Completely Agree” with all three statements above)


Summary of Findings


Summary of Findings The idea of returning to school is not universally appealing: only 17% of adult learners surveyed are “extremely

likely” or “very likely” to re-enroll. Another 22% are “somewhat likely”, while over half (61%) are “not very” or “not at all” likely.

Respondents are most likely to pursue either a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree, at about equal levels.

Respondents are most likely to consider public/state community colleges, followed by four-year public/state schools and vocational/technical schools.

Respondents most likely to return to school are motivated both intrinsically (personal sense of accomplishment, being a role model) and extrinsically (increasing earning potential).

Stopouts do not signify a lack of interest or intent in attaining a degree. In fact, the more likely a respondent is to return to school, the more likely they are to have had a stopout at some point in their academic career.

Age, finances, and life stage are key drivers when deciding whether to pursue a degree. In contrast, the in-school experience is rarely the key factor when deciding to leave.

The older a respondent is, the less likely he/she is to return to school. This is a combination of feeling too old to return to school and not having needed a degree to succeed in the workforce.

Finances are both a major reason for leaving school and the greatest obstacle to returning. Availability of financial aid is essential for most returning students.

Life stage issues (including children and jobs) tend to be temporary obstacles; they are cited more as reasons for leaving school than as obstacles to returning. However, respondents place a high priority on convenient locations and class times when they consider returning to school, implying that respondents may struggle to integrate college into their lifestyles.


Summary of Findings (cont.) The PLA program has the potential to be an important facilitator in boosting enrollment.

Currently only a third of respondents are familiar with the concept of a program that awards college credit for work/life experiences.

When exposed to the details of the PLA, almost half think the program could benefit them and very few think the program is too complex.

PLA ranks second in importance in terms of enabling students to return to school, behind financial aid but ahead of convenient schedules, locations, and other issues.

Respondents feel comfortable with the information resources made available to them as they consider returning to school, but in fact they are using only a limited number of sources.

Only 13% of respondents say they do not know where to get information about completing their degree or certificate.

Respondents were most likely to use school websites or general web searches to get the information they needed about returning to school. Outreach organizations and employers were rarely seen as resources.

In terms of the types of information they would need, respondents were most focused on the cost and time required to get a degree, along with information about flexible schedules and locations and PLA credit. General lifestyle advice and mentorship were seen as less valuable.


Likelihood of Returning to School


Likelihood of Returning to School

Total (n=410)

Male (n=122)

Female (n=288)

25-34 (n=85)

35-44 (n=105)

45-54 (n=130)

55-64 (n=90)

0.06

0.05

0.06

0.19

0.04

0.03

0.11

0.07

0.13

0.26

0.16

0.02

0.04

0.22

0.22

0.23

0.27

0.33

0.19

0.1

0.36

0.37

0.35

0.22

0.35

0.45

0.37

0.25

0.3

0.23

0.06

0.12

0.31

0.49

Extremely likely Very likely Somewhat likely Not very likely Not at all likely

Respondents asked “Overall, how likely are you to go back to school?”

Overall, three in five (61%) respondents are not very likely or not at all likely to return to school, but 45% of respondents ages 25-34 are extremely or very likely to return.


Likelihood of Returning to School (cont.)

Stopouts Number of Schools Attended Likelihood to Return to School

Total 0 1 2+ 1 2 3+ Ext/VerySome-what

Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %

Extremely likely 6 2 10 11 5 4 15 34 - -

Very likely 11 6 11 23 10 12 15 66 - -

Somewhat likely 22 17 29 28 22 25 20 - 100 -

Not very likely 36 43 32 24 34 41 29 - - 59

Not at all likely 25 33 18 14 29 18 22 - - 41

One-third (34%) of respondents with 2 or more stopouts are extremely or very likely to return to school.



Career Level Household Income Kids in HH Gender

TotalEntry level Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr

Under $50k $50k+ No Yes Male Female

n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %

Extremely likely 6 9 8 4 9 3 4 8 5 6

Very likely 11 25 11 6 16 7 8 16 7 13

Somewhat likely 22 23 26 22 21 23 17 31 22 23

Not very likely 36 28 37 38 36 37 37 35 37 35

Not at all likely 25 15 18 30 17 31 33 11 30 23

One-third (34%) of respondents in entry level careers are extremely or very likely to return to school.



Geography Motivation For Returning To School

Total Urban Rural Emotional Financial Both

n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %

Extremely likely 6 6 5 5 7 24

Very likely 11 13 7 17 17 25

Somewhat likely 22 23 22 45 24 21

Not very likely 36 36 36 21 39 22

Not at all likely 25 22 30 12 13 8

One-half (49%) of respondents who are both emotionally and financially motivated are extremely or very likely to return to school.


College Attendance


Number of Stopouts

Respondents were asked “How many times have you left school for at least a year (stopped taking any classes at any institution) before resuming classes at a later time?” (n=410)

Never- I haven't gone back after stopping classes

1 time

2 times

3 times

4 times or more

52%

25%

17%

4%

2%

One-half (52%) of respondents never returned to school after leaving.


Number of Stopouts (cont.)


Total 0 1 2+ 1 2 3+ Ext/Very Somewhat

Not Very/Not

At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %

Never – I haven’t gone back after stopping classes

52 100 - - 71 34 18 24 38 65

1 time 25 - 100 - 22 34 15 30 33 21

2 times 17 - - 74 6 27 35 29 23 12

3 times 4 - - 16 - 2 24 10 4 2

4 or more times 2 - - 10 1 2 9 7 2 1

Almost two-thirds (65%) of respondents who are not very or not at all likely to return to school never went back to school after stopping classes.





Mgmnt/Sr Leader


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %


52 42 52 60 48 56 56 45 56 50

1 time 25 36 23 23 27 23 22 31 23 26

2 times 17 19 17 13 18 16 17 17 13 19

3 times 4 2 5 3 4 4 3 6 6 3

4 or more times 2 2 2 - 3 2 2 2 2 2

Three in five (60%) respondents who are in management or senior leadership positions have never returned to school after stopping classes.





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %


52 51 54 41 41 31

1 time 25 25 26 31 33 34

2 times 17 17 16 21 13 27

3 times 4 4 3 5 9 6

4 or more times 2 3 1 2 4 2

More than one-quarter (27%) of respondents who are both emotionally and financially motivated to return to school have had two stopouts.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %


52 40 46 63 53

1 time 25 32 27 22 21

2 times 17 21 21 12 16

3 times 4 5 6 2 4

4 or more times 2 2 1 1 6

Three in five (63%) respondents ages 45-54 have never returned to school after stopping classes.


Most Recent School Attended

Median Age Enrolled

Median Age Stopped Taking Classes

Median Length of Enrollment

21 years old

23 years old

2 years53%

40%

7%

Full-timePart-timeBoth

Over one-half (53%) of respondents were full-time students at the school they most recently attended.

Results show among all respondents (n=410)


Most Recent School Attended (cont.)



Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %

Student Type

Full-time 53 62 45 41 59 50 36 57 57 50

Part-time 41 34 49 47 34 44 60 34 35 44

Both full-time and part-time

7 4 7 12 8 6 4 9 9 5

Enrollment Age

Mean 24 22 24 29 22 26 29 25 25 24

Median 21 19 22 26 19 22 26 22 22 20

Mode 18 18 18 18 18 20 26 18 18 18

Age When Stopped Classes

Mean 27 24 27 32 25 28 31 29 28 26

Median 23 21 25 30 22 25 28 27 23 23

Mode 19 19 22 27 19 22 27 27 19 21

The median age for the most recent stopout age for respondents who have had two or more stopouts is 30 years old.





Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %

Student Type

Full-time 53 57 56 55 59 47 47 63 60 50

Part-time 40 34 40 40 34 48 48 29 33 44


7 9 4 5 7 6 6 8 7 6

Enrollment Age

Mean 24 24 24 23 25 24 25 23 24 24

Median 21 21 20 20 21 21 22 20 20 21

Mode 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18


Mean 27 26 26 25 27 26 28 25 26 27

Median 23 24 23 22 23 23 24 23 23 23

Mode 19 22 19 19 19 21 19 19 19 19

Three in five (63%) respondents with kids were most recently full-time students when they stopped taking classes.





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %

Student Type

Full-time 53 52 56 67 52 57

Part-time 40 41 38 26 41 36


7 7 6 7 7 7

Enrollment Age

Mean 24 24 24 27 23 25

Median 21 21 20 21 20 22

Mode 18 18 18 18 18 18


Mean 27 27 27 29 25 27

Median 23 23 23 24 23 25

Mode 19 21 19 22 19 23

Two-thirds (67%) of respondents who are emotionally motivated to return to school were full-time students at their most recent school before stopping classes.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %

Student Type

Full-time 53 68 60 52 32

Part-time 40 24 31 46 59


7 8 9 2 9

Enrollment Age

Mean 24 21 24 24 28

Median 21 19 21 21 24

Mode 18 18 18 18 18


Mean 27 24 26 27 30

Median 23 22 23 24 28

Mode 19 22 19 19 21

Older respondents were more likely to have been part-time students while attending their most recent school before stopping classes (59% of respondents ages 55-64, compared to 40% on average).


Reasons for Dropping Out of Most Recent School

Got a job/changed jobs

Couldn't afford it

Had child(ren)

Lost interest in degree I was pursuing

Got married/divorced

Moved to a different area

Wasn't doing well in school

Illness/illness of a family member

I was dissatisfied with some aspect of the school

Didn't feel ready for college

Finished courses/classes

Didn't feel connected to the campus life

Had trouble with transportation

Other

24%

20%

15%

12%

10%

9%

8%

8%

7%

6%

5%

3%

2%

14%

Respondents were asked, ”Why did you stop attending [school]?” Respondents were allowed to mark multiple responses . (n=410)

Almost one-quarter (24%) of respondents dropped out because they started a job or changed jobs.


Reasons for Dropping Out of Most Recent School (cont.)


Total 0 1 2+ 1 2 3+ Ext/Very SomewhatNot Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %

Got a job/changed jobs 24 24 20 26 26 20 24 30 22 23

Couldn't afford it 20 16 24 24 20 18 24 30 27 15

Had child(ren) 15 17 15 11 17 12 11 14 15 15

Lost interest in the degree I was pursuing

12 14 10 8 13 7 16 11 9 13

Got married/divorced 10 11 10 8 13 6 7 10 5 12

Moved to a different area 9 11 6 8 10 6 13 7 10 9

Wasn't doing well in school 8 10 3 7 8 6 11 9 3 9

Illness/illness of a family member 8 6 10 13 11 4 9 13 7 8

I was dissatisfied with some aspect of [school]

7 8 4 7 7 6 6 11 5 6

Didn't feel ready for college 6 8 2 5 9 2 4 4 5 7

Finished courses/classes 5 5 2 8 1 12 6 3 5 6


3 3 3 3 4 2 6 1 2 4

Had trouble with transportation 2 2 2 2 1 3 4 3 1 2

Other 14 12 16 16 10 20 16 11 11 16

Among respondents extremely or very likely to return to school, one-third (30%) cited affordability and one-third (30%) cited getting/changing jobs as reasons for dropping out of their most recent school.




Total Entry level Mid-levelMgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %



Had child(ren) 15 8 14 14 12 17 10 23 5 19


12 19 10 10 12 11 14 9 17 9





8 6 5 6 10 6 8 8 7 9


7 9 9 4 8 5 8 4 11 5




3 2 2 5 3 4 3 3 5 2


Other 14 15 11 10 14 13 14 14 16 13

One-third (34%) of respondents who classify their career level as entry level dropped out of their most recent school because they couldn’t afford it.





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %

Got a job/changed jobs 24 23 25 21 28 21

Couldn't afford it 20 20 20 21 33 22

Had child(ren) 15 14 16 5 2 28

Lost interest in the degree I was pursuing 12 12 11 19 9 6

Got married/divorced 10 9 13 10 4 9

Moved to a different area 9 8 11 7 - 8

Wasn't doing well in school 8 8 7 5 13 3

Illness/illness of a family member 8 7 11 17 4 12

I was dissatisfied with some aspect of [school] 7 7 6 5 9 3

Didn't feel ready for college 6 5 8 7 7 3

Finished courses/classes 5 6 4 2 4 6

Didn't feel connected to the campus life 3 4 3 - 7 2

Had trouble with transportation 2 2 1 7 - 3

Other 14 13 16 14 13 18

More than one-quarter (28%) of respondents who are both emotionally and financially motivated to return to school dropped out of their most recent school because they had children.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %

Got a job/changed jobs 24 24 20 25 27

Couldn't afford it 20 33 25 15 10

Had child(ren) 15 19 11 17 12

Lost interest in the degree I was pursuing 12 13 7 15 12

Got married/divorced 10 7 11 8 14

Moved to a different area 9 11 6 7 14

Wasn't doing well in school 8 11 7 6 8

Illness/illness of a family member 8 7 11 9 7

I was dissatisfied with some aspect of [school] 7 12 6 3 8

Didn't feel ready for college 6 7 7 5 6

Finished courses/classes 5 1 5 7 7

Didn't feel connected to the campus life 3 4 2 2 7

Had trouble with transportation 2 1 2 2 3

Other 14 14 13 15 13

One-third (33%) of respondents ages 25-34 dropped out of their most recent school because they couldn’t afford it.


Reasons for Dissatisfaction (If Dissatisfied with Some Aspect of the School)

Lack of academic advising

The campus/school didn't provide helpful or effective support

Was unhappy with faculty member(s)

School policies and procedures were too complicated or confusing to navigate

Was unhappy with staff member(s)

Class schedules were not flexible enough

Course selection/availability too limited

I missed a deadline because I was not given informa-tion in a timely manner

Other

37%

37%

26%

15%

11%

7%

4%

4%

22%

Asked of respondents who stopped attending most recent school because they were dissatisfied with some aspect of the school. “What aspect(s) of the school were you dissatisfied with?” Respondents were allowed to mark multiple responses. (n=27)

Respondents were primarily dissatisfied with the schools they attended due to lack of support and advising.


Obstacles to Returning to School


Reasons for Not Having Returned to School

Don't have the money/can't take on more debt

Don't have time

Feel like I'm too old to go back to school

Don't need a degree for the work I am currently doing

Don't want/need to return to school

Worried that I couldn't pass the classes I need to complete my degree or certificate

Don't know how to start the process to go back to school

Don't have childcare options

There aren't any schools convenient to where I live

Didn't have a good experience before and don't think things will be any different

Other

44%

25%

24%

22%

15%

10%

6%

5%

5%

4%

9%

Asked of all respondents (n=410). “Why have you not returned to school?” Respondents allowed to mark multiple answers. Other responses included poor health, disabled, already retired, waiting for the right time, taking a break, worried about children attending college, and unsure of career path.

Almost one-half (44%) of respondents cite financial difficulty as the primary reason for not having returned to school.


Reasons for Not Having Returned to School (cont.)

Stopouts Number of Schools AttendedLikelihood to Return to

School

Total 0 1 2+ 1 2 3+Ext/ Very

Some-what

Not Very/Not At

All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %

Don't have the money/can't take on more debt 44 41 47 51 43 47 46 57 60 35

Don't have time 25 24 26 27 25 28 20 27 27 24

Feel like I'm too old to go back to school 24 26 21 23 27 20 22 7 27 27


22 24 19 21 21 20 33 4 16 29

Don't want/need to return to school 15 19 9 13 15 16 13 - 4 23


10 9 11 12 10 8 15 17 5 9


6 8 4 5 6 7 2 4 12 4

Don't have childcare options 5 4 7 7 4 7 9 9 7 4

There aren't any schools convenient to where I live 5 4 6 5 3 7 4 6 4 4


4 3 5 4 3 5 2 - 3 5

Other 9 9 9 12 9 10 11 17 7 8

About one-third (29%) of respondents who are not very or not at all likely to return to school feel they don’t need a degree for the work they are currently doing.




TotalEntry level

Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %

Don't have the money/can't take on more debt

44 64 48 44 56 33 41 50 43 45

Don't have time 25 26 34 35 21 30 22 31 34 21

Feel like I'm too old to go back to school 24 26 19 29 23 26 24 25 24 24


22 13 25 31 16 27 24 19 34 17

Don't want/need to return to school 15 9 12 16 14 15 20 8 18 14


10 13 8 4 13 7 9 11 8 10


6 4 7 5 7 5 4 9 3 7

Don't have childcare options 5 4 5 3 8 4 - 13 2 7

There aren't any schools convenient to where I live

5 8 2 - 7 3 4 6 2 6


4 2 3 3 4 4 5 1 5 3

Other 9 6 8 7 10 9 10 8 9 9

When asked why they haven’t returned to school, one-third (34%) of males feel they don’t need a degree for the work they’re currently doing, compared to 17% of females.





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %

Don't have the money/can't take on more debt 44 44 44 64 44 58

Don't have time 25 25 25 26 22 21

Feel like I'm too old to go back to school 24 24 23 36 26 16

Don't need a degree for the work I am currently doing 22 22 23 17 11 5

Don't want/need to return to school 15 13 20 5 7 3


10 10 9 7 17 18

Don't know how to start the process to go back to school 6 7 5 14 9 8

Don't have childcare options 5 6 5 12 2 12

There aren't any schools convenient to where I live 5 5 4 7 2 8


4 4 4 2 2 -

Other 9 12 4 7 9 16

One-third (36%) of respondents who are emotionally motivated to return to school feel they are too old to go back.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %

Don't have the money/can't take on more debt 44 71 56 32 23

Don't have time 25 29 34 22 16

Feel like I'm too old to go back to school 24 15 24 25 31

Don't need a degree for the work I am currently doing 22 11 16 32 27

Don't want/need to return to school 15 4 9 18 30


10 17 8 8 9

Don't know how to start the process to go back to school 6 6 15 2 1

Don't have childcare options 5 12 9 2 0

There aren't any schools convenient to where I live 5 12 4 3 1


4 2 3 4 6

Other 9 11 6 12 9

Almost three-quarters (71%) of respondents ages 25-34 feel they can’t afford to go back to school.


Attitudes About Education


I would feel a sense of personal ac-complishment if I earned a college de-

gree or certificate

Completing my degree or certificate would make me a good role model for my family

A college degree or certificate would improve my career/earning potential

College degrees or certificates are too expensive for what you get

I still want the degree or certificate I was originally pursuing when I first went to

school

42%

31%

28%

19%

12%

22%

18%

17%

21%

12%

17%

22%

24%

31%

21%

7%

11%

11%

15%

22%

7%

9%

13%

7%

25%

5%

10%

8%

8%

9%

Completely Agree Mostly Agree Somewhat Agree Mostly Disagree Completely DisagreeDon't Know/Not Applicable

All respondents were asked their agreement on these statements concerning getting or finishing their college degree or certificate. (n=410)

Attitudes About Getting or Finishing College Degree or Certificate

Two in five (42%) respondents completely agree they would feel a sense of accomplishment by completing their degree.


Earning a college degree or certificate takes too much time

College degrees or certificates aren't worth what they used to be in today's society

I am too old to go back to college

I don't know where to go to get information about completing my degree or certificate

Online education is less effective than traditional classroom education

11%

11%

10%

5%

5%

14%

18%

15%

8%

11%

40%

34%

26%

16%

25%

20%

16%

18%

28%

27%

9%

17%

25%

33%

18%

6%

5%

6%

10%

14%


All respondents were asked their agreement on these statements concerning getting or finishing their college degree or certificate. (n=410)

Attitudes About Getting or Finishing College Degree or Certificate (cont.)

Only 5% of respondents completely agree that online education is less effective than traditional classroom education.



. Stopouts Number of Schools Attended Likelihood to Return to School

Total 0 1 2+ 1 2 3+Ext/ Very

Some-what

Not Very/ Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% Completely/Mostly Agree % % % % % % % % % %

I would feel a sense of personal accomplishment if I earned a college degree or certificate

64 53 76 74 57 74 67 87 84 50


49 36 62 64 43 55 56 78 67 34


45 37 54 52 40 52 40 79 55 31


40 40 35 42 40 36 46 25 34 45


29 31 26 27 32 22 29 23 24 32

I am too old to go back to college 25 32 19 18 29 20 22 3 14 35


25 29 25 16 26 29 13 5 16 34

I still want the degree or certificate I was originally pursuing when I first went to school

24 19 30 29 21 26 27 44 35 14


16 16 17 16 17 16 13 14 16 17


13 13 17 12 13 14 13 21 10 13

Three-quarters (76%) of respondents with one stopout completely or mostly agree they would feel a sense of personal accomplishment if they earned their college degree or certificate.





Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% Completely/Mostly Agree % % % % % % % % % %


63 77 66 56 70 60 57 75 55 68


49 55 56 40 55 45 34 73 37 54


45 61 50 29 52 40 38 54 35 48


40 48 33 44 37 41 40 38 37 41


28 28 33 29 24 32 28 29 34 26

I am too old to go back to college 25 19 20 25 20 30 28 20 21 27


25 26 30 28 23 28 24 27 31 22


23 24 29 19 26 24 20 30 23 24


16 17 14 14 14 18 20 10 18 15


13 17 14 12 13 15 11 17 13 14

Three-quarters (73%) of respondents with kids completely or mostly agree that completing their degree or certificate would make them a good role model for their family.



GeographyMotivation For Returning To

School


n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% Completely/Mostly Agree % % % % % %


63 63 66 100 89 100


49 49 49 100 52 100


45 46 41 48 100 100

College degrees or certificates are too expensive for what you get 40 35 48 41 44 29


28 29 26 33 31 17

I am too old to go back to college 25 25 26 19 22 14

Earning a college degree or certificate takes too much time 25 26 24 22 22 24


23 24 24 35 35 40


16 18 12 17 22 13


13 14 14 16 14 26

Two in five (40%) of respondents who are both emotionally and financially motivated to return to school still want the degree or certificate they were originally pursuing.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% Completely/Mostly Agree % % % % %


63 79 72 61 43


49 69 60 39 31

A college degree or certificate would improve my career/earning potential 45 66 53 39 20

College degrees or certificates are too expensive for what you get 40 33 47 38 38


28 27 29 28 31

I am too old to go back to college 25 9 19 31 38

Earning a college degree or certificate takes too much time 25 24 26 28 21


23 32 25 23 17

Online education is less effective than traditional classroom education 16 19 11 15 21


13 19 13 12 11

Less than one-third of all age groups feel that college degrees or certificates aren’t worth what they used to be in today’s society (28% on average).


Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)


Awareness of Program That Can Give College Credit for Learning Outside School

All respondents were asked “Have you ever heard of a program that allows you to get college credit for things you’ve learned outside school, such as on-the-job training and other past learning or personal experience?” (n=410)

30%

52%

18%

Yes, aware of programNo, not aware of programMaybe/Don't Know

Almost one-third (30%) of respondents were aware of a program that allows people to get college credit for things learned outside of school.




n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %

Yes, aware of program

30 26 28 41 21 39 44 36 28 29

No, not aware of program

52 54 56 41 58 47 36 53 52 51

Maybe/don’t know

18 20 16 18 21 14 20 11 20 20

Those who attended multiple schools were more likely to have knowledge of the program than those who had attended one school.

Awareness of Program That Can Give College Credit for Learning Outside School (cont.)




Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %


30 36 23 31 28 31 33 25 38 26


52 51 56 52 54 51 45 63 41 56

Maybe/don’t know

18 13 21 17 19 19 22 13 21 17

Males were more likely than females to claim awareness of the program.





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %


30 31 27 21 33 31


52 51 53 50 59 57

Maybe/don’t know 18 18 20 29 9 12


Respondents living in urban and rural areas had similar levels of awareness of the program (31% urban and 27% rural).


Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %

Yes, aware of program 30 28 26 26 42

No, not aware of program 52 60 61 52 32

Maybe/don’t know 18 12 13 22 26

Respondents 55 or older have the highest levels of awareness of the program (42%, versus 30% on average).



Sources of Awareness (Among Those Aware of Program)

Television

Online

At School/College

Don't Know/Can't Remember

Friend/Family Member/ Word of Mouth

Radio

Advertisement

At Work/Through Employer

Military

Other

18%

16%

14%

13%

12%

11%

5%

4%

4%

11%

Respondents who had prior knowledge of a program were asked “Where did you hear about this program?” (n=122)

Almost one-fifth (18%) of respondents who were aware of the program heard about it through television.


Sources of Awareness (cont.)



Not Very/Not

At All

n= 122 54 29 39 45 53 24 25 26 71

% % % % % % % % % %

Television 18 26 21 5 29 11 13 8 19 21

Online 16 13 17 18 16 17 13 20 12 16

At school/college 14 9 10 23 9 13 25 32 12 9

Don't know/can't remember

13 19 14 5 18 13 4 4 19 14

Friend/family member/word of mouth

12 9 17 10 11 11 13 12 4 14

Radio 11 7 10 15 11 9 13 20 15 6

Advertisement (general) 5 7 0 5 4 4 8 0 4 7

At work/through employer 4 4 0 8 0 6 8 0 4 6

Military 4 4 0 8 2 6 4 4 8 3

Other 11 7 14 13 7 15 8 8 8 13

About one-third (32%) of respondents extremely or very likely to return to school who were aware of the program had seen or heard something about it at school/college.





Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 122 19 30 30 54 61 83 39 46 76

% % % % % % % % % %

Television 18 11 23 13 19 16 22 10 15 20

Online 16 32 3 23 20 13 16 15 11 18

At school/college 14 21 17 3 13 15 8 26 11 16

Don't know/can't remember 13 0 7 17 17 11 14 10 13 13

Radio 11 5 23 7 13 10 6 21 7 13

Friend/family member/word of mouth

11 11 7 17 7 15 12 10 15 9

Advertisement (general) 5 0 7 13 4 3 7 0 7 4

At work/through employer 4 5 3 3 2 7 6 0 7 3

Military 4 5 0 7 4 3 4 5 9 1

Other 11 21 17 0 11 11 10 13 11 11

One-third (32%) of respondents with entry level jobs aware of the program had seen something about it online.





n= 122 89 33 9 15 21

% % % % % %

Television 18 21 9 33 27 -

Online 16 12 24 - - 19

At school/college 14 17 6 11 - 29

Don't know/can't remember 13 10 21 33 7 14

Radio 11 12 6 11 13 19

Friend/family member/word of mouth 11 12 9 - 13 -

Advertisement (general) 5 5 6 11 - -

At work/through employer 4 5 3 11 - -

Military 4 2 9 - 7 -

Other 11 11 9 - 33 19

One-quarter (24%) of rural respondents aware of the program had seen something about it online.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 122 24 27 33 38

% % % % %

Television 18 13 22 18 18

Online 16 21 15 18 11

At school/college 14 25 7 12 13

Radio 11 8 19 6 11

Friend/family member/word of mouth 11 13 7 9 16

Advertisement (general) 5 4 0 3 11

At work/through employer 4 4 4 3 5

Military 4 0 7 3 5

Don't know/can't remember 13 4 22 9 16

Other 11 8 7 21 5

Younger respondents ages 25-34 aware of the program were most likely to have seen something about it at school or college.


Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a method of evaluating what you have learned outside school for college credit. Your past experiences and knowledge (from work, hobbies, volunteering, and other sources) may be shown to be equal to what you could learn in a college classroom. If you can demonstrate this knowledge at the college level, then many institutions in Tennessee will award you college credit for what you already know.

Generally, students demonstrate PLA in one of three forms:

• Credit by examination is a form of test-based evaluation. A student takes an examination in order to demonstrate what he or she knows. If you pass the test, you get credit for that course without having to pay for and attend that class.

• Credit recommendation for past training - If you have successfully completed workplace or military training, then you may be recommended for college level credit.

• Portfolio assessments – student-written reports where the student documents in detail past learning and describes what he or she has learned. This is also a good option for students who may find standardized tests to be difficult.

PLA Description Shown to Respondents Before Asking About Their Impressions of the Program


I think I could get college credit for my own past

experience or on-the-job training using PLA

PLA sounds like a complicated process

PLA sounds like more trouble than it's worth

24%

5%

2%

21%

10%

4%

34%

39%

19%

10%

30%

39%

3%

10%

26%

9%

6%

9%


All respondents were shown information about Prior Learning Assessment and then asked their agreement on these statements. (n=410)

Impressions of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Almost one-half (45%) of all respondents think they could get college credit through the PLA program.


Impressions of PLA (cont.)



Not Very/Not

At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %

I think I could get college credit for my own past experience or on-the-job training using PLA

Completely Agree 24 17 24 38 19 28 31 39 23 20

Mostly Agree 21 25 17 16 22 15 27 19 22 21

Somewhat Agree 34 36 34 30 35 37 24 27 40 34

Mostly Disagree 10 11 13 5 12 10 6 7 9 12

Completely Disagree 3 3 4 2 3 3 6 3 1 4

Don’t Know/NA 9 8 9 10 9 8 7 6 5 11

PLA sounds like it’s a complicated process


Mostly Agree 10 8 12 13 9 12 9 9 11 10

Somewhat Agree 39 39 36 41 39 37 40 33 41 39

Mostly Disagree 30 30 35 24 28 33 29 30 34 29


Don’t Know/NA 6 8 4 5 7 4 7 4 3 8

PLA sounds like more trouble than it’s worth


Mostly Agree 4 3 6 5 5 4 6 4 2 5

Somewhat Agree 19 25 12 16 23 17 9 10 14 24

Mostly Disagree 39 39 44 33 36 43 38 37 49 36


Don’t Know/NA 9 9 10 10 7 11 11 7 4 11

Three in five (58%) respondents extremely or very likely to return to school feel they could get college credit using PLA.




Total

Entry level Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %



Mostly Agree 20 9 20 31 16 25 21 19 20 21

Somewhat Agree 34 49 35 26 37 31 34 34 39 32

Mostly Disagree 10 19 9 6 11 9 10 10 9 11


Don’t Know/NA 9 4 10 8 7 9 10 6 9 8



Mostly Agree 10 11 12 9 10 10 11 8 11 10

Somewhat Agree 39 36 46 41 38 39 37 42 35 40

Mostly Disagree 30 34 25 30 25 35 30 30 33 29


Don’t Know/NA 6 2 4 7 7 6 7 6 7 6



Mostly Agree 4 4 4 4 4 5 6 3 6 4

Somewhat Agree 19 21 22 22 19 20 18 21 19 19

Mostly Disagree 39 28 43 44 31 47 38 40 42 38


Don’t Know/NA 9 6 8 10 10 8 10 7 11 8

Three in five (58%) respondents in management or senior leadership positions in their careers feel they could get credit for their own past experience or job training using PLA.





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %


Completely Agree 24 26 18 31 37 40

Mostly Agree 20 22 18 19 22 16

Somewhat Agree 34 30 43 41 17 28

Mostly Disagree 10 11 8 2 4 10

Completely Disagree 3 2 5 - 9 2

Don’t Know/NA 9 9 8 7 11 3


Completely Agree 5 5 6 2 7 9

Mostly Agree 10 9 12 10 11 10



Completely Disagree 10 10 11 14 20 16

Don’t Know/NA 6 5 9 - 2 6


Completely Agree 2 2 4 - 2 2

Mostly Agree 4 4 6 - 9 6



Completely Disagree 26 26 27 43 35 42

Don’t Know/NA 9 9 10 5 7 5

While almost one-half (48%) of urban respondents feel they could get college credit using PLA, only one-third (36%) of rural respondents feel this way.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %


Completely Agree 24 28 24 21 23

Mostly Agree 20 13 20 25 21

Somewhat Agree 34 39 35 31 32

Mostly Disagree 10 8 11 9 12

Completely Disagree 3 5 3 4 1

Don't Know/Not Applicable 9 7 7 10 10















Impressions of PLA are fairly consistent across all age groups (top-two box percentages).


Important Factors in Returning to School


One Thing That Could Convince You to Return to School

Financial Aid/Money/Grant

Nothing - Don't Want/Don't Need to Go Back

No Answer/Don't Know

Opportunity for Better Job/ Guaranteed Job After Graduation

Flexible Class Schedule/Online Classes

More Time

Change in Current Life Situation

Guaranteed Support/Guidance from School

Childcare Options

Credit for Life Experience/Current Work

Encouragement/Confidence/Self Respect

More Convenient Location

Specific Classes of Interest

If School were Specifically Focused on Older Students' Needs

If School Would Pay Off Current Student Loans

Other

46%

13%

10%

9%

6%

4%

3%

2%

2%

2%

2%

1%

1%

1%

1%

8%

All respondents were asked the open-ended question “What is the one thing that could convince you to return to school to finish your degree or certificate?” (n=410) Responses were coded into categories shown above. Some comments included multiple items and are coded as such, so percentages total more than 100%.

Respondents mentioned the availability of financial resources more than any other item when asked on an unprompted basis what would convince them to return to school.


One Thing That Could Convince You to Return to School (cont.)



Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %

Financial aid/money/grant 46 42 53 47 43 50 47 51 64 38

Nothing - don't want/need to go back 13 18 8 8 17 7 15 3 2 20

Opportunity for a better job/guaranteed job after graduation

9 9 7 12 9 10 9 6 2 13

Flexible class schedules/online classes 6 8 4 3 6 7 2 4 4 7

More time 4 2 6 7 2 8 2 6 9 2

Change in current life situation (spouse passing, children moving out, etc.)

3 3 4 1 3 2 2 6 2 2

Childcare options 2 2 2 3 2 3 4 4 2 2

Guaranteed support/guidance from school 2 1 1 4 1 2 2 3 3 0

Credit for life experience/current work 2 1 3 3 1 2 4 0 3 2

Encouragement/confidence/self respect 2 2 2 3 2 1 6 6 3 1

Specific classes of interest 1 1 1 2 1 1 6 0 1 2

If school would pay off current student loans 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0

More convenient location 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 0 2

If school were specifically focused on older students' needs

1 2 1 0 2 1 0 0 3 1

No answer/don't know 10 13 8 5 12 10 0 4 7 13

Other 8 8 9 8 6 8 15 7 8 9

One-fifth (18%) of respondents with no stopouts said there was nothing that could convince them to go back to school because they didn’t want to or need to go back to school.






n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %

Financial aid/money/grant 46 60 49 43 52 41 43 52 38 50

Nothing - don't want/need to go back 13 8 13 10 10 15 16 8 17 11

Opportunity for a better job/guaranteed job after graduation

9 4 12 12 7 12 10 8 14 7

Flexible class schedules/online classes 6 0 8 9 8 4 4 8 2 7

More time 4 6 6 4 2 7 3 6 3 5


3 2 4 2 3 3 3 3 2 3

Childcare options 2 2 1 1 3 3 0 6 0 3

Credit for life experience/current work 2 2 1 4 1 3 1 3 4 1

Encouragement/confidence/self respect 2 0 3 1 2 2 2 3 2 2

Guaranteed support/guidance from school 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 3 0 2

Specific classes of interest 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 0 2 1

If school would pay off current student loans 1 4 0 1 2 0 0 2 0 1

More convenient location 1 6 1 0 2 1 2 0 1 1

If school were specifically focused on older students' needs

1 0 1 0 2 1 2 1 1 1

No answer/don't know 10 6 9 13 10 10 11 8 13 8

Other 8 6 5 6 6 10 10 4 6 9

Women are more likely than men to say that financial aid is the one thing that could convince them to return to school (50% versus 38%).





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %

Financial aid/money/grant 46 46 46 67 52 64

Nothing - don't want/need to go back 13 12 16 - 2 3

Opportunity for a better job/guaranteed job after graduation 9 8 12 - 13 6

Flexible class schedules/online classes 6 6 5 2 7 9

More time 4 4 4 7 7 5


3 3 3 2 9 5

Childcare options 2 2 3 5 - 5

Credit for life experience/current work 2 2 3 5 - -

Encouragement/confidence/self respect 2 2 2 2 4 6

Guaranteed support/guidance from school 1 2 - 5 - 2

Specific classes of interest 1 2 - - - -

If school would pay off current student loans 1 1 1 2 - 3

More convenient location 1 1 2 2 - -

If school were specifically focused on older students' needs 1 1 1 5 2 -

No answer/don't know 10 9 12 7 7 2

Other 8 9 5 2 7 9

Two-thirds (67%) of respondents who are emotionally motivated to return to school say that financial aid is the one thing that could convince them to return to school.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %

Financial aid/money/grant 46 65 55 42 24

Nothing - don't want/need to go back 13 4 7 13 30

Opportunity for a better job/guaranteed job after graduation 9 4 6 13 13

Flexible class schedules/online classes 6 8 6 6 2

More time 4 4 6 6 0

Change in current life situation (spouse passing, children moving out, etc.) 3 4 1 5 0

Childcare options 2 6 5 0 0

Credit for life experience/current work 2 1 2 2 2

Encouragement/confidence/self respect 2 4 0 5 0

Guaranteed support/guidance from school 1 0 4 0 2

Specific classes of interest 1 0 2 1 2

If school would pay off current student loans 1 5 0 0 0

More convenient location 1 0 2 2 1

If school were specifically focused on older students' needs 1 0 2 0 3

No answer/don't know 10 8 12 9 10

Other 8 6 4 10 12

Financial aid as a motivator decreases with age, but older respondents are also more likely to say that nothing could convince them to return to school because they don’t want or need to go back.


Important Factors in Returning to School to Finish Degree

Availability of financial aid

Convenient location

Availability of online courses

Flexibility of class schedules around work/taking care of children

Availability of an advisor/counselor to help map out my program/plan

Availability of evening courses

Ability to get college credity for knowledge and skills acquired outside of classroom

Availability of accelerated classes and/or programs

Availability of information to link degrees to specific job opportunities

Scheduling support from my employer

Financial support from my employer

Assistance with daycare/children

69%

62%

54%

51%

46%

45%

44%

38%

37%

37%

34%

14%

21%

31%

36%

20%

41%

38%

47%

47%

46%

36%

46%

16%

10%

8%

10%

29%

13%

17%

9%

15%

17%

26%

20%

71%

Need to Have Nice to Have Not Important

All respondents were asked “How important is each of the following in terms of returning to school to finish your degree?” (n=410)

Availability of financial aid is the most important factor in returning to school.


Important Factors in Returning to School to Finish Degree (cont.)

StopoutsNumber of Schools

Attended Likelihood to Return to School

Total 0 1 2+ 1 2 3+Ext/Very

Some-what

Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %


Need to Have 69 65 72 75 71 66 69 81 80 61

Nice to Have 21 23 21 18 22 21 20 16 16 25

Not Important 10 12 7 7 7 13 11 3 3 14

Convenient location

Need to Have 62 57 75 59 64 58 62 70 67 57

Nice to Have 31 32 22 36 29 32 31 26 30 32

Not Important 8 11 3 5 6 10 7 4 2 11


Need to Have 54 51 58 57 55 53 53 69 62 47

Nice to Have 36 36 36 37 35 39 35 27 33 40

Not Important 10 14 6 6 11 8 13 4 5 13


Need to Have 51 44 57 59 50 50 56 66 60 43

Nice to Have 20 22 18 17 23 18 15 16 20 21

Not Important 29 34 24 24 28 32 29 19 21 36

Among respondents extremely or very likely to return to school, two-thirds (66%) consider flexible schedules essential.






Some-what

Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %


Need to Have 46 38 52 57 45 43 55 63 50 40

Nice to Have 41 45 38 37 43 42 33 33 42 43

Not Important 13 17 11 6 12 15 13 4 8 17

Availability of evening classes

Need to Have 45 41 49 50 45 45 42 54 46 42

Nice to Have 38 39 39 34 40 36 35 33 47 36

Not Important 17 20 13 17 15 19 24 13 8 22

Ability to get college credit for knowledge and skills acquired outside the classroom (like on-the-job training or personal experience)

Need to Have 44 43 44 48 45 39 55 44 47 44

Nice to Have 47 45 52 44 47 50 38 50 51 44

Not Important 9 12 4 7 8 10 7 6 2 12


Need to Have 38 35 45 39 40 36 38 40 46 35

Nice to Have 47 47 46 48 47 48 44 46 52 45

Not Important 15 18 10 13 13 16 18 14 2 20

Among respondents extremely or very likely to return to school, two-thirds (63%) consider the availability of an advisor or counselor essential.






Some-what

Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %


Need to Have 37 32 43 41 37 34 44 43 42 33

Nice to Have 46 47 45 44 46 48 40 47 50 44

Not Important 17 21 13 15 17 18 16 10 8 23

Scheduling support from my employer (flexible work schedule)

Need to Have 37 37 41 35 40 35 31 43 38 36

Nice to Have 36 33 38 43 35 37 40 37 40 35

Not Important 26 31 21 22 24 29 29 20 22 30

Financial support from my employer (tuition reimbursement or employer-paid contributions)

Need to Have 34 32 32 40 34 31 38 30 34 35

Nice to Have 46 48 46 43 49 45 42 56 48 43

Not Important 20 20 22 17 17 24 20 14 19 22

Assistance with daycare/childcare

Need to Have 14 10 18 18 14 12 16 23 15 11

Nice to Have 16 17 18 11 17 14 16 26 19 12

Not Important 71 74 64 72 70 74 67 51 66 78

Two in five (44%) of respondents who have attended three or more schools find it necessary for schools to provide information to link degrees to specific job opportunities.



Career Level

Household Income Kids in HH Gender

Total

Entry level

Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %


Need to Have 69 81 76 61 81 59 64 77 55 75

Nice to Have 21 19 18 26 13 28 24 18 29 18

Not Important 10 0 6 13 6 13 13 5 16 7

Convenient location

Need to Have 62 68 61 62 62 62 61 64 52 66

Nice to Have 30 30 35 27 29 31 29 32 35 28

Not Important 8 2 5 11 8 8 10 4 13 6


Need to Have 54 57 58 58 56 53 45 68 49 56

Nice to Have 36 40 35 31 31 40 41 28 34 37

Not Important 10 4 6 11 12 8 14 4 16 7


Need to Have 51 57 55 60 53 50 38 70 41 55

Nice to Have 20 21 23 19 19 22 20 19 24 18

Not Important 29 23 22 20 29 29 41 10 35 27

Four in five (81%) respondents currently in entry level jobs consider financial aid essential to returning to school.



Career Level


Total

Entry level

Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %


Need to Have 46 51 48 45 49 45 45 48 39 49

Nice to Have 41 34 42 41 40 42 37 47 38 43

Not Important 13 15 9 14 11 14 18 5 24 8


Need to Have 45 49 57 50 43 47 41 50 45 45

Nice to Have 38 42 33 33 39 37 39 36 34 39

Not Important 17 9 10 17 18 17 20 14 20 16


Need to Have 44 42 45 55 42 47 46 42 45 44

Nice to Have 47 55 51 35 48 46 42 55 39 50

Not Important 9 4 5 10 10 7 12 3 16 6


Need to Have 38 36 38 43 37 41 32 48 42 37

Nice to Have 47 47 55 41 48 46 50 42 39 50

Not Important 15 17 7 16 15 14 18 9 19 13

One-half (55%) of respondents in management or senior leadership positions feel that the ability to get college credit for knowledge and skills acquired outside the classroom is essential in their ability to return to school.



Career Level


Total

Entry level

Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %


Need to Have 37 34 42 32 39 37 34 41 34 38

Nice to Have 46 55 46 45 45 46 42 52 43 47

Not Important 17 11 12 23 16 18 24 8 22 15


Need to Have 37 51 52 40 34 41 36 39 40 36

Nice to Have 36 42 38 38 41 32 31 44 31 39

Not Important 26 8 11 22 25 27 32 17 29 25


Need to Have 34 34 42 38 32 37 32 37 37 33

Nice to Have 46 58 48 44 49 44 45 48 44 47

Not Important 20 8 11 18 19 20 23 14 19 20


Need to Have 14 15 12 15 20 9 5 28 11 15

Nice to Have 16 25 17 12 18 14 8 28 12 17

Not Important 71 60 71 72 62 78 87 45 76 68

One-quarter (28%) of respondents with kids in the household consider assistance with daycare/childcare a “need to have.”





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %


Need to Have 69 67 73 79 87 90

Nice to Have 21 21 22 14 4 9

Not Important 10 12 5 7 9 1

Convenient location

Need to Have 62 61 64 67 74 79

Nice to Have 30 31 30 31 17 19



Need to Have 54 55 52 67 65 69

Nice to Have 36 34 40 31 28 25



Need to Have 51 49 55 62 50 75

Nice to Have 20 21 19 19 9 10

Not Important 29 31 26 19 41 15

Three-quarters (75%) of respondents both emotionally and financially motivated to return to school consider flexibility of class schedules essential.





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %


Need to Have 46 49 39 52 74 55

Nice to Have 41 38 48 38 22 37



Need to Have 45 47 40 48 50 64

Nice to Have 38 36 42 38 37 25

Not Important 17 17 18 14 13 10


Need to Have 44 46 42 55 48 48

Nice to Have 47 46 49 43 39 49



Need to Have 38 40 35 41 54 48

Nice to Have 47 45 50 40 35 49


More than one-half (55%) of respondents who are primarily emotionally motivated to return to school consider the ability to get college credit for knowledge and skills acquired outside the classroom essential in returning to school.





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %


Need to Have 37 37 36 40 59 63

Nice to Have 46 46 47 43 28 34



Need to Have 37 37 38 33 50 40

Nice to Have 36 37 35 31 33 37

Not Important 26 26 27 36 17 23


Need to Have 34 34 34 41 50 34

Nice to Have 46 45 49 43 37 48

Not Important 20 21 17 17 13 18


Need to Have 14 15 10 17 9 28

Nice to Have 16 15 17 21 6 24

Not Important 71 70 73 62 85 48

More than one-quarter (28%) of respondents motivated both emotionally and financially to return to school consider assistance with daycare/childcare a “need to have.”



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %


Need to Have 69 84 79 67 47

Nice to Have 21 13 12 25 34

Not Important 10 4 9 9 19

Convenient location

Need to Have 62 72 62 62 51

Nice to Have 30 22 33 31 34



Need to Have 54 62 59 56 37

Nice to Have 36 32 33 35 46



Need to Have 51 69 60 49 26

Nice to Have 20 15 17 19 29


More than two-thirds (69%) of respondents ages 25-34 consider flexibility of class schedules around work and/or taking care of children a “need to have” in the ability to return to school.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %


Need to Have 46 46 51 47 39

Nice to Have 41 47 40 42 37



Need to Have 45 53 49 50 26

Nice to Have 38 38 35 35 44



Need to Have 44 34 46 49 47

Nice to Have 47 58 49 44 39



Need to Have 38 42 47 39 23

Nice to Have 47 46 43 48 51


One-half (51%) of respondents ages 35-44 feel they need to have an advisor or counselor to help map out their programs/plans.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %


Need to Have 37 41 41 37 28

Nice to Have 46 47 51 47 38



Need to Have 37 46 38 41 23

Nice to Have 36 44 40 32 32



Need to Have 34 37 40 39 18

Nice to Have 46 52 43 45 47



Need to Have 14 32 14 6 6

Nice to Have 16 27 21 9 8


One-third (32%) of respondents ages 25-34 consider assistance with daycare/childcare essential in their ability to return to school.



Ability to get college credit for on-the-job training or personal experience/

knowledge I’ve gained

Flexibility of class schedule around work/personal obligations (including

online courses)

Convenient campus location


Accelerated courses and/or programs

43%

31%

17%

6%

2%

1%

21%

21%

33%

12%

4%

9%

11%

15%

25%

26%

4%

19%

11%

17%

14%

29%

4%

25%

12%

12%

11%

24%

5%

36%

3%

3%

1%

3%

80%

10%

Most Important Second Third Fourth Fifth Least Important

Respondents were shown six statements and asked to rank the importance of the items in their ability to return to school, with “1” being the most important and “6” being the least important.

Needs for Returning to School When ranking six general needs, the availability of financial aid is considered the most important factor in returning to

school.


Stopouts

Number of Schools Attended Likelihood to Return to School

Total 0 1 2+ 1 2 3+

Ext/ Very

Some-what

Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% Ranked Need Most Important % % % % % % % % % %

Availability of financial aid 43 41 44 46 43 45 38 51 57 35

Ability to get college credit for on-the-job training or personal experience/knowledge I’ve gained

31 34 27 29 33 28 31 16 22 39

Flexibility of class schedule around work/personal obligations (including online courses)

17 17 18 13 17 15 20 17 17 16

Convenient campus location 6 5 6 7 5 6 9 9 3 6

Assistance with daycare/childcare 2 2 2 4 2 3 2 7 1 2

Accelerated courses and/or programs 1 1 3 0 0 3 0 0 0 2

Summary of Items Needed to Return to School Among respondents not very or not at all likely to return to school, two in five (39%) ranked the ability to get college

credit for on-the-job training or personal experience/knowledge as the top item needed for returning to school.



Total

Entry level Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% Ranked Need Most Important % % % % % % % % % %

Availability of financial aid 43 53 48 32 53 35 41 47 31 48


31 13 32 41 23 39 35 25 45 25


17 21 16 19 14 20 15 19 15 17

Convenient campus location 6 6 4 7 6 5 6 5 7 5

Assistance with daycare/childcare 2 6 0 0 4 1 1 5 2 3


1 2 0 1 1 1 2 0 1 1

Summary of Items Needed to Return to School (cont.) Almost one-half (48%) of women rank financial aid first, while 45% of men rank the ability to get college credit for on-

the-job training or personal experience/knowledge as the top item needed for returning to school.




n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% Ranked Need Most Important % % % % % %

Availability of financial aid 43 42 44 45 54 58


31 32 30 26 26 19


17 17 16 21 11 10

Convenient campus location 6 5 7 5 2 10

Assistance with daycare/childcare 2 2 3 2 4 2

Accelerated courses and/or programs 1 1 2 - 2 -

Summary of Items Needed to Return to School (cont.) One-fifth (21%) of respondents who are primarily emotionally motivated to return to school ranked flexibility of class

schedule as the most important need for returning to school.


Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% Ranked Need Most Important % % % % %

Availability of financial aid 43 59 50 38 27


31 11 26 35 51


17 19 16 17 14

Convenient campus location 6 4 6 7 6

Assistance with daycare/childcare 2 8 2 0 1

Accelerated courses and/or programs 1 0 1 2 1

Summary of Items Needed to Return to School (cont.) Younger respondents are less likely to rank the ability to get college credit for life experience as the top need for

returning to school (11% of those ages 25-34, compared to 31% on average).



Total 0 1 2+ 1 2 3+ Ext/Very

Some-what

Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %


Most Important 43 41 44 46 43 45 38 51 57 36

Second 21 18 23 23 19 21 27 30 15 20

Third 11 13 11 6 14 7 6 7 8 13

Fourth 11 11 11 11 10 11 13 4 10 13

Fifth 12 13 9 13 11 11 16 4 9 15

Least Important 3 4 3 1 3 4 - 3 2 4

Ability to get college credit for on-the-job training or personal experience/ knowledge I’ve gained

Most Important 31 34 27 30 34 28 31 16 22 39

Second 21 22 18 21 20 23 20 20 20 22

Third 15 16 17 12 16 12 18 10 24 13

Fourth 17 15 21 18 17 18 15 26 15 16

Fifth 12 11 11 17 11 15 13 20 15 9

Least Important 3 1 6 3 2 4 4 9 4 1


Most Important 17 18 18 13 17 15 20 17 17 16

Second 33 36 27 33 34 32 29 29 39 32

Third 25 24 26 28 25 24 29 37 13 27

Fourth 14 13 18 13 13 18 9 9 16 15

Fifth 11 9 11 14 11 10 13 9 14 10

Least Important 1 1 - - 1 1 - - - 1

Items Needed to Return to School




Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %


Most Important 6 5 6 7 5 6 9 9 3 6

Second 12 10 18 11 12 13 9 10 13 13

Third 26 26 26 24 23 29 27 24 25 27

Fourth 29 34 17 32 34 22 29 30 30 28

Fifth 24 21 29 24 23 26 24 24 23 24



Most Important 2 2 2 4 2 3 2 7 1 2

Second 4 3 5 4 4 4 6 4 3 4

Third 4 4 4 5 4 5 2 6 7 3

Fourth 4 3 7 2 3 6 4 7 5 2

Fifth 5 7 6 1 7 4 2 9 4 5

Least Important 80 81 77 83 80 78 86 67 79 84


Most Important 1 1 3 - 1 3 - - - 2

Second 9 10 8 8 11 7 9 7 10 10

Third 19 18 17 24 17 22 18 16 24 18

Fourth 25 24 27 25 23 26 31 24 23 26

Fifth 36 38 35 32 38 34 33 34 35 37

Least Important 10 9 11 11 11 9 9 19 9 8

Items Needed to Return to School (cont.)



Total

Entry level

Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %


Most Important 43 53 48 32 53 35 41 47 31 48

Second 21 26 19 17 25 17 20 23 21 20

Third 11 6 8 15 9 12 12 9 13 10

Fourth 11 9 12 14 6 15 13 7 15 9

Fifth 12 2 10 19 3 19 13 9 16 10



Most Important 31 13 32 41 23 39 35 25 45 25

Second 21 13 22 23 22 20 25 15 23 20

Third 15 15 18 14 16 15 14 16 11 17

Fourth 17 28 15 13 23 13 14 22 9 21

Fifth 12 25 11 7 12 13 11 15 10 14

Least Important 3 6 3 1 5 2 - 7 2 3


Most Important 17 21 16 19 14 20 15 19 15 17

Second 33 36 38 39 30 36 31 36 32 33

Third 25 21 31 23 26 24 23 29 24 26

Fourth 14 21 12 10 15 14 16 10 18 12

Fifth 11 2 4 7 14 7 14 6 11 11

Least Important 1 - - 1 1 1 1 - 1 -




Total

Entry level

Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %


Most Important 6 6 4 7 6 5 6 5 7 5

Second 12 15 10 4 11 14 14 9 9 14

Third 26 40 22 23 29 23 28 23 30 24

Fourth 29 23 33 30 27 31 28 31 28 30

Fifth 24 15 29 33 23 26 22 26 25 23



Most Important 2 6 - - 4 1 1 5 2 3

Second 4 6 5 1 7 2 1 8 5 3

Third 4 2 2 6 4 5 2 7 1 6

Fourth 4 4 5 - 6 2 1 9 2 5

Fifth 5 2 5 5 7 4 4 8 3 6

Least Important 80 81 82 88 72 87 91 63 88 77


Most Important 1 2 - 1 1 1 2 - 1 1

Second 9 4 5 15 6 13 10 8 10 9

Third 19 17 18 17 16 22 21 16 22 17

Fourth 25 15 24 33 23 27 27 21 29 24

Fifth 36 55 41 29 41 31 36 35 34 36

Least Important 10 8 12 5 13 7 4 19 4 12





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %


Most Important 43 42 44 45 54 58

Second 21 20 23 26 20 27

Third 11 10 12 10 11 6

Fourth 11 11 11 7 7 -

Fifth 12 14 7 2 4 6

Least Important 3 3 3 10 4 3



Second 21 21 21 21 11 22

Third 15 14 19 17 20 9

Fourth 17 17 19 24 28 15

Fifth 12 14 9 7 15 25

Least Important 3 3 3 5 - 9



Second 33 34 31 29 50 21

Third 25 25 25 17 20 45

Fourth 14 13 16 19 11 15

Fifth 11 10 12 14 9 9

Least Important 1 1 - - - -





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %



Second 12 12 13 14 9 13

Third 26 27 24 29 13 16

Fourth 29 31 25 21 28 36

Fifth 24 22 29 24 41 21




Second 4 4 3 2 2 6

Third 4 5 2 14 2 10

Fourth 4 4 4 7 - 10

Fifth 5 6 4 2 2 3



Most Important 1 1 2 - 2 -

Second 9 9 9 7 9 10

Third 19 19 18 14 35 13

Fourth 25 25 25 21 26 24

Fifth 36 34 39 50 28 36

Least Important 10 11 7 7 - 16



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %


Most Important 43 59 50 39 27

Second 21 24 19 22 18

Third 11 6 11 13 12

Fourth 11 1 8 12 22

Fifth 12 2 11 12 21

Least Important 3 8 3 2 -



Second 21 17 18 22 28

Third 15 12 21 18 8

Fourth 17 28 17 15 10

Fifth 12 22 16 9 3

Least Important 3 11 2 1 -



Second 33 32 44 32 22

Third 25 33 22 23 26

Fourth 14 13 11 17 14

Fifth 11 4 8 10 22

Least Important 1 - - 1 -



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %



Second 12 15 8 12 14

Third 26 25 22 25 33

Fourth 29 24 36 30 24

Fifth 24 26 26 24 20

Least Important 3 7 3 2 2


Most Important 2 8 2 - 1

Second 4 8 5 2 2

Third 4 12 3 2 1

Fourth 4 11 4 1 2

Fifth 5 11 5 4 3



Most Important 1 - 1 2 1

Second 9 5 7 10 16

Third 19 13 22 19 20

Fourth 25 24 25 25 27

Fifth 36 35 35 41 30




Predisposition Toward Future Education


Degree or Certificate Most Likely to Pursue

Technical certificate

Associate's degree (2-year)

Bachelor's degree (4-year)

None of these

Other

12%

34%

37%

14%

2%

All respondents were asked “What type of degree or certificate are you most likely to pursue if you go back to school? (n=410)

More than one-third (37%) of respondents would seek a Bachelor’s degree if they returned to school.


Degree or Certificate Most Likely to Pursue (cont.)



Not Very/Not

At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %

Technical certificate

12 14 8 13 13 9 18 7 9 15

Associate’s degree (2-year)

34 31 45 30 35 36 24 34 40 32

Bachelor's degree (4-year)

37 30 42 48 32 42 46 56 48 28

Other 2 3 1 2 2 2 4 1 1 3

None of these 14 22 5 7 18 11 9 1 2 23

More than one-half (56%) of respondents who are extremely or very likely to return to school would pursue a Bachelor’s degree if they went back.





Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %

Technical certificate 12 11 8 14 13 11 15 8 11 13

Associate’s degree (2-year) 34 40 30 35 38 29 28 43 28 36

Bachelor's degree (4-year) 37 40 48 37 33 44 37 38 42 35

Other 2 2 - 2 3 2 2 2 - 3

None of these 14 8 14 12 13 16 18 9 19 13

Women are more likely than men to consider pursuing an associates degree (36% versus 28%).





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %

Technical certificate 12 13 11 10 13 7

Associate’s degree (2-year) 34 32 38 43 35 40

Bachelor's degree (4-year) 37 39 34 43 46 48

Other 2 2 2 2 2 3

None of these 14 14 15 2 4 2

Respondents who are primarily emotionally motivated to return to school are equally likely to pursue an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree (both 43%).



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %

Technical certificate 12 9 7 17 14

Associate’s degree (2-year) 34 35 42 33 24

Bachelor's degree (4-year) 37 47 42 32 31

Other 2 2 1 2 3

None of these 14 6 9 16 27

Respondents ages 25-34 are more likely to consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree than an associate’s degree (47% versus 35%, respectively).


Predisposition Toward Types of Schools

Public/state community college

4-year public/state college/university

Vocational or technical school

Career college

TN College of Applied Technology (TCAT)

Private college/university

For-profit college

71%

54%

45%

37%

34%

31%

29%

22%

29%

37%

46%

40%

42%

41%

7%

17%

19%

17%

25%

27%

30%

Would Consider Neutral Would Not Consider

All respondents were asked, “If you decided to return to school to complete your degree or certificate or start a new one, which of the following types of schools would you consider?” (n=410)

Almost three-quarters (71%) of respondents would consider going to a public or state community college if they were to return to school.


Predisposition Toward Types of Schools (cont.)



Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %


Would Consider 71 64 82 75 69 72 75 70 83 67

Neutral 22 28 14 20 24 20 22 20 14 26

Would Not Consider 7 8 5 5 6 8 4 10 3 7

4-year public/state college/ university

Would Consider 54 47 61 61 50 57 62 61 72 45

Neutral 29 34 24 25 33 25 27 27 22 33



Would Consider 45 45 50 39 48 41 40 40 48 45

Neutral 37 36 35 41 34 37 49 43 35 36


Career college

Would Consider 37 35 44 34 38 39 27 30 50 34

Neutral 46 47 43 46 47 39 56 53 36 48


One-half (50%) of respondents who are somewhat likely to return to school would consider a career college, compared to 37% on average.





Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %


Would Consider 34 30 45 34 33 36 38 36 39 32

Neutral 40 44 29 44 43 36 42 36 36 43


Private college/ university

Would Consider 31 26 42 31 25 40 33 39 42 25

Neutral 42 43 38 42 45 34 47 43 41 42


For-profit college (University of Phoenix, Kaplan, DeVry, etc.)

Would Consider 29 26 40 26 30 29 29 33 35 26

Neutral 41 47 32 37 43 37 42 39 47 39


Almost one-half (45%) of respondent with one stopout would consider a TCAT, compared to 34% on average.



Career Level


Total

Entry level

Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %


Would Consider 71 77 68 67 73 69 70 73 61 75

Neutral 22 19 27 23 20 26 24 20 30 19



Would Consider 54 55 58 58 52 56 52 57 57 53

Neutral 29 38 31 21 29 31 28 31 32 28



Would Consider 45 47 42 40 50 40 44 46 47 44

Neutral 37 45 35 34 35 39 39 33 35 38


Career college

Would Consider 37 36 37 41 38 38 35 39 35 38

Neutral 46 55 48 39 48 44 47 45 43 47


Respondents in entry level jobs are more likely to consider public/state community colleges than mid-level and management/senior leadership level career holders (77%, versus 68% and 67%, respectively).



Career Level


Total

Entry level

Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %


Would Consider 34 42 31 29 37 34 34 35 37 33

Neutral 40 42 42 35 38 42 41 40 38 41



Would Consider 31 38 35 33 32 32 28 35 37 28

Neutral 42 43 41 40 40 44 39 47 37 44



Would Consider 29 26 35 28 28 32 29 29 31 28

Neutral 41 43 42 39 43 38 38 45 35 43


Two in five (42%) respondents in entry level positions would consider a TCAT, compared to 29% of respondents in management/senior leadership positions.



Geography

Motivation For Returning To School


n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %


Would Consider 71 69 76 74 76 87

Neutral 22 25 17 17 17 12

Would Not Consider 7 6 7 9 7 1



Neutral 29 28 32 31 17 25




Neutral 37 39 33 40 39 33


Career college


Neutral 46 47 43 40 39 42


One-quarter (24%) of respondents primarily motivated to return to school for emotional reasons would not consider a vocational or technical school or a career college.



Geography

Motivation For Returning To School


n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %



Neutral 40 44 32 41 48 33




Neutral 42 39 48 36 31 39




Neutral 41 41 39 47 33 36


Respondents in rural areas are more likely to consider TCATs than respondents in urban areas (45% versus 30%).



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %


Would Consider 71 71 74 71 68

Neutral 22 17 21 25 26

Would Not Consider 7 13 5 4 7



Neutral 29 24 30 33 29




Neutral 37 41 35 34 39


Career college


Neutral 46 44 47 45 49


Respondents ages 35-44 are most likely to consider 4-year public/state colleges/universities.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %



Neutral 40 40 40 34 50




Neutral 42 41 49 39 38




Neutral 41 45 46 32 43


One-quarter (27%) of respondents ages 25-34 are willing to consider TCATs, but 33% would not consider them.


Reasons for Not Considering Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs)

One-quarter (25%) of respondents would not consider a Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT). Those respondents were asked, “Why wouldn’t you consider a TN College of Applied Technology (TCAT)?”

Of those who would not consider a TCAT:

40% would not consider a TCAT because they do not offer programs/degrees that they would want to pursue.

16% would not consider a TCAT because they are unfamiliar with them.

4% would not consider a TCAT because they view them as less reputable or as providers of a lower quality education.


Reasons for Not Considering Community Colleges

Only 27 respondents (7%) would not consider public/state community colleges. Those respondents were asked, “Why wouldn’t you consider a community college?”

Of those who would not consider public/state community colleges, reasons included:

Schools do not offer the type of degree I would like to seek

Schools are not in convenient locations

Respondents do not wish to seek any type of degree (regardless of type of school)


Information About Returning to School


Sources Most Likely to Use to Get Information About Returning to School

Go directly to a school's website

General online/web search

Visit a school in person

Call a school

Interactive websites

Ask a friend/family member for recommendations/advice

In-person workshops at a local community center or public library

College recruiter

Advertising

Ask your employer for advice

Non-profit/outreach organization

Other

66%

56%

24%

22%

21%

17%

12%

8%

6%

6%

6%

1%

Respondents asked, “Where would you be most likely to get information about returning to school?” (n=410) Respondents could mark multiple responses.

Two-thirds (66%) of respondents would go directly to a school’s website to get information about returning to school, and over one-half (56%) would use a general web search.


Sources Most Likely to Use to Get Information About Returning to School (cont.)



n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %

Go directly to a school’s website 66 65 61 72 60 68 84 77 71 61

General online/web search 56 56 52 59 52 59 60 57 61 53

Visit a school in person 24 23 22 27 24 23 27 37 20 22

Call a school 22 20 21 26 20 20 35 33 21 19

Interactive websites 21 19 24 21 21 23 18 30 25 17


17 15 19 19 17 18 16 20 20 15


12 9 14 15 12 10 16 17 11 11

College recruiter 8 7 8 11 10 4 9 21 7 5

Ask your employer for advice 6 6 5 8 4 9 7 4 4 7

Advertising (TV, billboards, other ads)

6 5 8 4 6 6 4 9 3 6

Non-profit/outreach organization 6 5 9 6 6 7 6 7 9 5

Other 1 0 0 3 1 2 0 3 0 0

One-fifth (21%) of respondents extremely or very likely to return to school would use college recruiters as a source of information about returning to school.





Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %

Go directly to a school’s website 66 64 68 61 69 63 66 65 68 65

General online/web search 56 55 56 53 54 57 59 50 55 56

Visit a school in person 24 28 22 14 26 23 27 18 29 22

Call a school 22 26 19 18 26 20 21 23 23 22

Interactive websites 21 23 22 17 26 17 22 20 22 20


17 9 18 17 17 18 18 16 15 18


12 17 13 2 15 9 14 8 13 11

College recruiter 8 8 11 3 11 6 6 11 8 8

Ask your employer for advice 6 8 12 5 4 9 7 4 10 5

Advertising (TV, billboards, other ads) 6 4 5 4 5 6 6 6 2 7

Non-profit/outreach organization 6 4 7 2 8 5 7 4 4 7

Other 1 2 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Respondents in management/senior leadership positions are half as likely to visit a school in person to get information than respondents in entry level career positions.





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %

Go directly to a school’s website 66 67 62 79 57 73

General online/web search 56 57 53 64 70 54

Visit a school in person 24 22 30 26 20 21

Call a school 22 22 21 26 24 24

Interactive websites 21 22 20 26 33 30

Ask a friend/family member for recommendations/advice 17 19 13 24 22 21


12 11 14 7 20 15

College recruiter 8 8 8 7 9 22

Ask your employer for advice 6 6 7 17 4 2

Advertising (TV, billboards, other ads) 6 5 7 2 11 13

Non-profit/outreach organization 6 7 3 10 9 8

Other 1 1 - - 2 -

One-fifth (22%) of respondents who are both emotionally and financially motivated to return to school would use a college recruiter as a source of information for going back to school.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %

Go directly to a school’s website 66 73 62 65 64

General online/web search 56 62 54 54 53

Visit a school in person 24 20 24 19 34

Call a school 22 22 18 21 28

Interactive websites 21 26 18 24 16

Ask a friend/family member for recommendations/advice 17 22 12 17 18

In-person workshops at a local community center or public library 12 13 11 10 14

College recruiter 8 15 9 6 3

Ask your employer for advice 6 6 6 5 8

Advertising (TV, billboards, other ads) 6 5 10 5 3

Non-profit/outreach organization 6 4 8 6 7

Other 1 0 1 0 2

One-quarter (26%) of respondents ages 25-34 would use interactive websites to get information about returning to school.


“One-Stop Shop” Resources

Cost of completing your degree or certificate

Length of time it would take to complete your degree or certificate

Information about taking classes online

Information about getting college credit for training you've received on the job or elsewhere

Location of relevant college programs near you

Information about flexible class schedules for working students or students with children

A directory of who to contact at each school for more information

72%

62%

56%

52%

52%

49%

44%

23%

32%

38%

42%

41%

34%

48%

4%

5%

6%

6%

7%

17%

8%


Information about the cost of completing a degree or certificate is the top need of a “one-stop shop” resource.

All respondents were asked “If there were a one-stop shop resource for getting information about returning to school, how important would it be to include each of the following pieces of information?” (n=410)


“One-Stop Shop” Resources (cont.)

Information to link degrees or certificates to specific job opportunities

Help with filling out financial aid forms and application

A calculator to help you determine how many classes you need to finish your degree or certificate

Help choosing an academic program or major

Information about how much you could earn if you completed your degree or certificate

Information about the differences between types of schools (public, private, etc.)

Ability to connect with a mentor or another adult student who's been in your situation

Advice on how to balance school, work, and family life

43%

43%

42%

34%

33%

28%

23%

21%

47%

43%

44%

50%

53%

47%

56%

50%

10%

14%

14%

15%

14%

25%

21%

29%


All respondents were asked “If there were a one-stop shop resource for getting information about returning to school, how important would it be to include each of the following pieces of information?” (n=410)

Advice on how to balance school, work, and family life is the least important need for a “one-stop shop” resource, but 21% still consider it necessary.





Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %


Need to Have 72 68 76 77 69 76 75 76 82 68

Nice to Have 23 26 21 20 26 20 22 23 19 25

Not Important 4 6 3 3 5 4 4 1 0 7


Need to Have 62 61 64 63 63 61 64 66 70 59

Nice to Have 32 32 32 33 32 34 27 30 29 34

Not Important 5 7 4 4 5 5 9 4 1 7


Need to Have 56 53 59 59 55 58 56 64 58 53

Nice to Have 38 39 37 37 39 37 36 31 40 39

Not Important 6 9 4 4 7 5 7 4 2 9

Information about getting college credit for training you’ve received on the job or elsewhere

Need to Have 52 50 52 58 52 52 56 51 53 52

Nice to Have 42 42 42 40 42 44 35 44 46 39

Not Important 6 8 6 2 6 4 9 4 1 9


Need to Have 52 50 55 54 51 55 49 47 55 52

Nice to Have 41 42 40 41 41 38 47 46 44 39

Not Important 7 9 5 5 8 7 4 7 1 9

One-half of respondents, regardless of likelihood to return to school, consider information about getting college credit for training received outside school a “need to have” in a one-stop shop.





Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %


Need to Have 49 45 53 53 48 53 40 61 57 42

Nice to Have 34 36 30 34 34 31 42 30 34 36

Not Important 17 19 17 14 18 15 18 9 10 22


Need to Have 44 41 44 52 43 46 44 59 47 39

Nice to Have 48 49 50 44 48 47 51 37 52 50

Not Important 8 10 7 4 9 7 6 4 1 11


Need to Have 43 38 49 50 39 49 44 47 46 41

Nice to Have 47 51 42 44 51 40 47 47 49 46

Not Important 10 12 10 6 10 11 9 6 5 13

Help with filling out financial aid forms and applications

Need to Have 43 42 47 44 49 39 35 50 47 40

Nice to Have 43 46 37 43 40 47 44 40 48 42

Not Important 14 13 17 13 12 14 22 10 5 18


Need to Have 42 40 42 50 40 45 44 43 46 41

Nice to Have 44 46 39 44 45 40 47 47 45 42

Not Important 14 15 19 6 15 15 9 10 10 17

Three in five (61%) respondents extremely or very likely to return to school consider information about flexible class schedules a “need to have.”





Not Very/Not At All

n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

% % % % % % % % % %


Need to Have 34 31 37 40 31 39 36 44 40 29

Nice to Have 50 51 49 51 53 45 53 46 49 52

Not Important 15 18 15 10 16 16 11 10 11 19


Need to Have 33 31 32 39 33 32 35 39 40 29

Nice to Have 53 52 59 51 53 55 53 53 52 54

Not Important 14 18 9 11 14 13 13 9 8 17


Need to Have 28 25 28 35 26 29 31 34 28 26

Nice to Have 47 48 48 46 47 44 58 39 58 46

Not Important 25 28 24 19 27 27 11 27 14 28

Ability to connect with a mentor or another adult student who’s been in your situation

Need to Have 23 22 23 25 23 24 20 33 22 21

Nice to Have 56 52 57 62 55 55 62 50 67 53

Not Important 21 26 19 13 22 21 18 17 11 26


Need to Have 21 22 18 24 22 22 18 27 22 19

Nice to Have 50 45 54 55 48 50 56 47 59 47

Not Important 29 33 28 21 30 29 26 26 20 34

Two in five (40%) respondents who have had two or more stopouts consider help choosing an academic major essential in a one-stop shop of resources.




TotalEntry level

Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %


Need to Have 72 79 73 68 76 68 72 72 71 73

Nice to Have 23 21 24 23 20 27 23 25 20 25

Not Important 4 0 3 8 4 6 5 3 9 2


Need to Have 62 62 67 65 62 62 59 67 57 65

Nice to Have 32 34 28 29 32 33 34 29 34 32

Not Important 5 4 5 6 6 6 6 4 9 4


Need to Have 56 55 56 56 54 58 51 64 47 60

Nice to Have 38 38 38 36 40 36 41 33 41 36

Not Important 6 8 6 8 7 7 8 3 12 4


Need to Have 52 42 48 66 51 54 56 47 53 52

Nice to Have 41 53 47 27 43 40 37 48 35 44

Not Important 6 6 5 7 6 6 7 4 11 4


Need to Have 52 49 54 47 51 54 51 53 43 56

Nice to Have 41 43 41 41 42 40 41 41 44 40

Not Important 7 8 5 12 8 7 8 6 12 5

Two-thirds (66%) of respondents in management or senior leadership career positions consider information about getting college credit for training received on-the-job or elsewhere essential in a one-stop shop of resources.



Career LevelHousehold

Income Kids in HH Gender

TotalEntry level

Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %


Need to Have 49 57 54 52 52 48 43 58 41 52

Nice to Have 34 36 33 33 34 35 33 35 39 32

Not Important 17 8 13 15 15 18 24 7 20 16


Need to Have 44 38 51 41 51 39 45 42 33 49

Nice to Have 48 55 45 50 40 54 46 51 57 44

Not Important 8 8 5 9 9 7 8 7 10 7


Need to Have 43 40 43 39 44 44 44 42 43 43

Nice to Have 47 53 48 48 49 44 43 53 43 48

Not Important 10 8 8 13 7 13 13 5 14 8


Need to Have 43 53 45 30 51 36 45 40 40 45

Nice to Have 43 38 42 54 39 47 39 50 40 44

Not Important 14 9 12 16 10 18 16 10 20 11


Need to Have 42 42 44 46 38 47 43 42 44 42

Nice to Have 44 49 45 36 50 36 44 43 39 45

Not Important 14 9 12 18 12 17 14 14 16 13

Three in five (58%) respondents with kids consider information about flexible class schedules a “need to have” for a one-stop shop.



Career LevelHousehold

Income Kids in HH Gender

TotalEntry level

Mid-level

Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

% % % % % % % % % %


Need to Have 34 38 33 32 40 30 34 35 25 39

Nice to Have 50 43 55 50 46 53 49 52 53 49

Not Important 15 19 12 18 14 18 17 13 22 13


Need to Have 33 34 34 28 35 31 31 36 30 34

Nice to Have 53 53 57 54 53 54 53 53 55 53

Not Important 14 13 9 18 12 15 16 11 16 13


Need to Have 28 32 29 28 32 24 29 26 29 27

Nice to Have 47 42 48 42 44 50 47 47 47 48

Not Important 25 26 23 31 24 27 24 26 25 25


Need to Have 23 23 22 28 28 19 23 24 21 24

Nice to Have 56 64 58 45 55 56 55 58 54 57

Not Important 21 13 20 28 16 25 23 18 25 19


Need to Have 21 15 27 22 24 20 18 26 21 21

Nice to Have 50 58 51 46 51 49 47 53 49 50

Not Important 29 26 22 32 25 32 35 20 30 29

Women are more likely than men to want help choosing an academic program or major (39% versus 25%, respectively).





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %


Need to Have 72 73 71 83 94 81

Nice to Have 23 22 26 14 - 18



Need to Have 62 65 56 76 83 72

Nice to Have 32 29 40 24 13 27

Not Important 5 6 4 - 4 1


Need to Have 56 57 54 64 72 66

Nice to Have 38 36 41 33 17 30



Need to Have 52 52 53 67 70 58

Nice to Have 41 42 41 33 26 39

Not Important 6 6 6 - 4 3


Need to Have 52 53 49 55 72 57

Nice to Have 41 40 43 43 19 40


Almost all (94%) respondents primarily financially motivated to return to school consider information about the cost of completing your degree or certificate essential for a one-stop shop of resources.





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %


Need to Have 49 49 49 62 74 72

Nice to Have 34 32 39 26 13 21



Need to Have 44 47 37 62 63 57

Nice to Have 48 45 55 33 30 37



Need to Have 43 42 46 60 63 58

Nice to Have 47 48 44 38 30 36



Need to Have 43 46 38 50 70 43

Nice to Have 43 41 48 31 15 48



Need to Have 42 46 35 55 59 45

Nice to Have 44 41 50 31 28 46


Three-quarters (72%) of respondents both emotionally and financially motivated to return to school consider information about flexible class schedules essential.





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

% % % % % %


Need to Have 34 37 28 43 61 46

Nice to Have 50 48 56 45 30 40



Need to Have 33 33 32 40 57 42

Nice to Have 53 53 56 43 37 52



Need to Have 28 28 27 33 46 37

Nice to Have 47 48 46 43 30 45

Not Important 25 24 27 24 24 18


Need to Have 23 24 20 38 28 40

Nice to Have 56 56 57 41 59 46

Not Important 21 20 23 21 13 14


Need to Have 21 22 21 33 26 28

Nice to Have 50 50 48 31 48 55

Not Important 29 28 31 36 26 17

Three in five (61%) of respondents primarily financially motivated to return to school consider help choosing an academic program or major essential.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %


Need to Have 72 74 77 72 66

Nice to Have 23 24 19 25 27



Need to Have 62 65 69 67 47

Nice to Have 32 32 29 28 43



Need to Have 56 52 60 60 49

Nice to Have 38 40 38 33 42



Need to Have 52 48 49 57 54

Nice to Have 41 47 50 35 36



Need to Have 52 48 57 51 51

Nice to Have 41 45 36 44 39


Three in five (57%) of respondents ages 45-54 feel it would be essential to include information about getting college credit for training received on-the-job or elsewhere.



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %


Need to Have 49 62 56 49 27

Nice to Have 34 32 32 32 42



Need to Have 44 47 43 45 41

Nice to Have 48 46 52 46 48



Need to Have 43 39 47 47 38

Nice to Have 47 54 51 42 43



Need to Have 43 51 51 39 34

Nice to Have 43 37 41 46 47



Need to Have 42 41 44 45 39

Nice to Have 44 42 46 41 47


Younger respondents are more likely to feel that information about flexible class schedules is essential to a one-stop shop of resources (62% “need to have” versus 49% on average).



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

% % % % %


Need to Have 34 39 39 33 27

Nice to Have 50 51 46 51 54



Need to Have 33 34 40 32 26

Nice to Have 53 58 50 55 51



Need to Have 28 29 31 30 19

Nice to Have 47 41 50 44 56



Need to Have 23 31 21 23 19

Nice to Have 56 53 59 56 54



Need to Have 21 22 29 22 11

Nice to Have 50 51 51 49 49


Younger respondents are also more likely to feel that connecting students with a mentor or other adult student is essential to a one-stop shop of resources (31% “need to have” versus 23% on average).


Respondent Profile


Gender, Age, and Ethnicity




n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

Gender % % % % % % % % % %

Male 30 32 27 27 29 30 33 20 29 33

Female 70 68 73 73 71 70 67 80 71 67

Age % % % % % % % % % %

25-34 21 16 26 25 20 23 18 54 25 10

35-44 26 23 27 31 25 27 26 30 38 20

45-54 32 39 28 20 34 31 26 10 27 40

55-64 22 23 18 24 21 20 31 6 10 31

Ethnicity % % % % % % % % % %

Alaskan Native - - - - - - - - - -

American Indian 1 1 1 - - 1 4 - - 1

Asian or Pacific Islander 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 - 1

Black, not Hispanic 11 7 12 19 11 11 11 22 9 9

Hispanic 1 1 - - 1 - - - 1 1

Multi-racial 2 1 1 2 1 2 6 3 2 1

White, not Hispanic 84 86 85 77 86 83 78 73 85 86

Unknown 1 1 - 1 1 2 - - 2 1


Gender, Age, and Ethnicity (cont.)



Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

Gender % % % % % % % % % %

Male 30 30 34 40 23 36 34 23 100 -

Female 70 70 66 60 77 64 66 77 - 100

Age % % % % % % % % % %

25-34 21 40 22 14 32 11 12 34 17 22

35-44 26 30 35 23 25 27 16 40 22 27

45-54 32 17 30 42 22 40 38 21 34 31

55-64 22 13 13 20 21 23 33 4 26 20

Ethnicity % % % % % % % % % %

Alaskan Native - - - - - - - - - -

American Indian 1 4 - - 1 1 1 - 1 1

Asian or Pacific Islander 1 - 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1

Black, not Hispanic 11 4 17 2 14 9 11 12 8 12

Hispanic 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 0

Multi-racial 2 - 2 3 1 2 1 2 2 1

White, not Hispanic 84 92 79 90 80 86 83 85 84 84

Unknown 1 - - 3 2 1 1 1 3 0





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

Gender % % % % % %

Male 30 29 31 29 30 13

Female 70 71 69 71 70 87

Age % % % % % %

25-34 21 23 16 31 28 40

35-44 26 26 25 31 33 30

45-54 32 31 34 24 28 25

55-64 22 20 25 14 11 5

Ethnicity % % % % % %

Alaskan Native - - - - - -

American Indian 1 1 - - - 3

Asian or Pacific Islander 1 2 - - - 2

Black, not Hispanic 11 13 7 8 20 20

Hispanic 1 1 - - - -

Multi-racial 2 2 - 2 6 1

White, not Hispanic 84 80 92 90 74 74

Unknown 1 1 1 - - -



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

Gender % % % % %

Male 30 25 26 32 36

Female 70 75 74 68 64

Ethnicity % % % % %

Alaskan Native - - - - -

American Indian 1 - - 2 -

Asian or Pacific Islander 1 3 - 1 2

Black, not Hispanic 11 14 14 10 7

Hispanic 1 - 2 1 -

Multi-racial 2 3 1 1 2

White, not Hispanic 84 78 83 86 87

Unknown 1 4 - - 1


Employment, Career Status, and Household IncomeStopouts Number of Schools Attended Likelihood to Return to School


n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

Employment Status % % % % % % % % % %

Employed full-time 59 62 54 55 60 61 46 64 64 55

Employed part-time 12 9 17 12 9 12 18 11 12 11

Not employed 19 19 20 19 22 16 18 21 19 19

Retired 11 10 9 15 9 10 18 3 5 15

Career Status % % % % % % % % % %

Entry level 19 15 26 19 15 23 20 34 17 14

Mid-level 45 45 41 51 48 44 40 45 49 44

Management 25 29 23 16 27 22 26 13 27 27

Senior leadership/business owner

9 10 8 10 9 10 9 6 4 13

Other (Please Specify) 2 1 1 5 1 2 6 2 3 2

Household Income % % % % % % % % % %

Under $25,000 18 14 15 29 19 14 21 33 20 12

$25,000 to under $50,000 32 32 38 24 33 33 26 39 28 31

$50,000 to under $75,000 24 24 22 27 23 24 28 20 24 26

$75,000 to under $100,000 12 15 10 10 12 14 9 3 14 15

$100,000 or higher 14 16 14 10 13 14 15 4 15 16


Employment, Career Status, and Household Income (cont.)




n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

Employment Status % % % % % % % % % %

Employed full-time 59 68 91 85 48 69 55 64 75 52

Employed part-time 11 32 9 15 17 7 12 11 7 13

Not employed 19 0 0 0 24 15 18 22 7 25

Retired 11 0 0 0 11 10 16 3 11 10

Career Status % % % % % % % % % %

Entry level 18 100 0 0 32 9 19 18 16 20

Mid-level 45 0 100 0 42 47 42 50 44 46

Management 25 0 0 72 15 33 23 27 26 24

Senior leadership/business owner

9 0 0 28 10 9 12 6 13 7

Other (Please Specify) 2 0 0 0 2 2 4 0 1 3

Household Income % % % % % % % % % %

Under $25,000 18 26 9 8 36 0 19 15 11 20

$25,000 to under $50,000 32 49 34 24 64 0 30 34 27 34

$50,000 to under $75,000 24 9 31 29 0 48 22 28 28 23

$75,000 to under $100,000 12 13 14 18 0 25 14 10 20 9

$100,000 or higher 14 2 13 20 0 28 15 12 14 14





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

Employment Status % % % % % %

Employed full-time 59 60 54 55 59 54

Employed part-time 11 12 11 7 13 15

Not employed 19 18 21 31 24 27

Retired 11 10 14 7 4 4

Career Status % % % % % %

Entry level 18 18 20 27 21 26

Mid-level 45 49 34 34 58 50

Management 25 21 34 31 15 18

Senior leadership/business owner 9 10 9 8 3 4

Other (Please Specify) 2 2 3 - 3 2

Household Income % % % % % %

Under $25,000 18 16 21 19 13 30

$25,000 to under $50,000 32 30 36 29 43 35

$50,000 to under $75,000 24 23 28 20 20 17

$75,000 to under $100,000 12 13 10 17 13 7

$100,000 or higher 14 18 5 15 11 11



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

Employment Status % % % % %

Employed full-time 59 60 71 63 37

Employed part-time 11 15 11 9 12

Not employed 19 25 17 20 16

Retired 11 - 1 9 36

Career Status % % % % %

Entry level 18 33 19 10 16

Mid-level 45 44 54 42 39

Management 25 19 21 34 21

Senior leadership/business owner 9 3 6 10 25

Other (Please Specify) 2 2 1 4 -

Household Income % % % % %

Under $25,000 18 29 18 14 13

$25,000 to under $50,000 32 46 29 22 34

$50,000 to under $75,000 24 13 33 25 24

$75,000 to under $100,000 12 8 12 19 8

$100,000 or higher 14 4 8 21 21


Marital Status, Children in Household, and Military Experience




n= 410 212 103 95 218 137 55 70 92 248

Marital Status % % % % % % % % % %

Single 19 14 22 27 18 20 22 43 20 12

Married 61 65 63 48 61 62 55 31 62 68

Domestic Partnership 4 6 1 4 6 2 4 10 7 2

Separated/Divorced 14 12 13 17 13 12 18 16 11 14

Widowed 3 2 1 4 2 4 2 0 1 4

Number of Children % % % % % % % % % %

None 61 67 52 59 63 57 66 46 47 71

1 19 15 23 25 20 20 15 21 24 17

2 12 14 15 7 12 15 11 24 16 8

3 6 5 7 6 5 5 9 6 11 4

4 or more 2 1 3 2 1 3 0 3 2 1

Veteran or Active Service Member

% % % % % % % % % %

Yes 8 7 7 11 8 8 7 6 8 9

No 92 93 92 88 91 92 93 94 91 91

Prefer not to answer 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1


Marital Status, Children in Household, and Military Experience (cont.)



Mgmnt/ Sr Ldr


n= 410 53 130 98 194 200 251 159 122 288

Marital Status % % % % % % % % % %

Single 19 28 22 12 28 10 25 10 21 18

Married 61 58 53 71 42 78 53 72 61 60

Domestic Partnership 4 4 5 4 5 4 4 5 3 5

Separated/Divorced 13 9 18 10 21 7 14 12 14 13

Widowed 2 0 2 2 4 1 4 1 1 3

Number of Children % % % % % % % % % %

None 61 60 55 60 60 61 100 0 70 57

1 19 19 25 17 20 19 0 50 16 21

2 12 17 14 16 12 14 0 32 11 13

3 6 2 5 5 6 5 0 14 2 7

4 or more 1 2 2 1 1 2 0 4 2 1

Veteran or Active Service Member % % % % % % % % % %

Yes 8 9 7 9 8 7 8 7 19 3

No 91 91 92 91 92 93 91 92 80 96

Prefer not to answer 1 0 2 0 1 1 1 1 1 1





n= 410 288 122 42 46 67

Marital Status % % % % % %

Single 19 20 16 17 31 25

Married 61 57 69 56 54 51

Domestic Partnership 4 5 3 7 2 8

Separated/Divorced 13 15 10 17 11 15

Widowed 2 3 2 3 2 1

Number of Children % % % % % %

None 61 62 60 38 74 36

1 19 18 22 43 11 19

2 12 13 11 14 9 33

3 6 6 5 5 2 10

4 or more 1 1 2 - 4 2

Veteran or Active Service Member % % % % % %

Yes 8 6 11 - 7 2

No 91 93 88 98 93 98

Prefer not to answer 1 1 1 2 - -



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 410 85 105 130 90

Marital Status % % % % %

Single 19 37 24 9 11

Married 61 47 59 67 66

Domestic Partnership 4 6 5 5 1

Separated/Divorced 13 11 12 16 15

Widowed 2 - - 3 7

Number of Children % % % % %

None 61 37 39 74 92

1 19 26 27 18 7

2 12 26 18 8 -

3 6 9 12 1 1

4 or more 1 2 4 - -

Veteran or Active Service Member % % % % %

Yes 8 2 9 9 11

No 91 98 91 90 87

Prefer not to answer 1 - - 1 2


Appendix A: Other Schools Attended (If More Than One)


Second Most Recent School Attended

Median Age Enrolled



19 years old

21 years old

2 years

62%

29%

9%


The median length of enrollment (2 years) is the same for the most recent school attended and second most recent school attended.

School attended prior to most recently attended school (n=192)


Second Most Recent School Attended (cont.)



Not Very/Not At All

n= 192 57 55 80 - 137 55 38 45 109

% % % % % % % % % %

Enrollment Age

Mean 21 20 20 23 - 20 23 22 21 21

Median 19 18 18 20 - 18 21 20 19 19

Mode 18 18 18 18 - 18 19 18 18 18


Mean 23 21 21 25 - 22 24 24 23 22

Median 21 20 20 22 - 20 23 22 21 20

Mode 19 19 19 20 - 20 21 19 20 19

Student Type

Full-time 63 67 69 55 - 66 53 61 71 60

Part-time 29 26 27 31 - 23 42 24 22 33


9 7 4 14 - 10 6 16 7 7





Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 192 30 58 44 87 98 114 78 59 133

% % % % % % % % % %

Enrollment Age

Mean 21 22 21 20 21 21 22 20 21 21

Median 19 20 19 19 19 19 19 18 19 19

Mode 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18


Mean 23 23 23 22 23 23 24 21 22 23

Median 21 21 21 21 21 20 21 20 20 21

Mode 19 20 20 20 19 20 19 19 20 19

Student Type

Full-time 63 57 64 61 64 60 60 67 68 60

Part-time 29 33 26 32 25 32 33 22 22 32


9 10 10 7 10 8 7 12 10 8





n= 192 145 47 25 22 40

% % % % % %

Enrollment Age

Mean 21 21 21 23 19 20

Median 19 19 19 19 18 20

Mode 18 18 18 18 18 18


Mean 23 23 22 23 21 22

Median 21 21 20 20 20 21

Mode 19 20 19 20 18 20

Student Type

Full-time 63 59 72 72 54 68

Part-time 29 31 21 24 32 22


9 10 7 4 14 10



Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 192 41 51 56 44

% % % % %

Enrollment Age

Mean 21 20 20 21 23

Median 19 18 19 19 20

Mode 18 18 18 18 18


Mean 23 21 22 23 25

Median 21 20 21 20 22

Mode 19 20 19 20 19

Student Type

Full-time 63 76 67 55 55

Part-time 29 17 22 36 39


9 7 12 9 7


Reasons for Dropping Out of Second Most Recent School


Couldn't afford it

Had child(ren)





Wasn't doing well in school


Finished courses/classes


Illness/Illness of a family member


Other

19%

15%

13%

12%

10%

10%

10%

9%

9%

6%

5%

4%

3%

13%

Respondents asked,”Why did you stop attending [school]?” Respondents allowed to mark multiple responses (n=192)

One-fifth (19%) of respondents dropped out of their second school due to a move.


Reasons for Dropping Out of Second Most Recent School (cont.)



n= 192 57 55 80 - 137 55 38 45 109

% % % % % % % % % %

Moved to a different area 19 19 16 20 - 17 24 24 11 20

Couldn't afford it 15 7 20 18 - 17 11 8 22 15

Had child(ren) 13 11 15 13 - 13 11 16 13 11

Got married/divorced 12 14 7 13 - 11 13 11 7 14


10 9 9 13 - 9 15 13 16 7

Got a job/changed jobs 10 7 7 14 - 10 11 5 9 12

Didn't feel ready for college 10 12 13 6 - 12 4 3 11 12


9 5 13 10 - 10 7 11 7 10

Wasn't doing well in school 9 16 4 9 - 11 6 5 11 10

Finished courses/classes 6 11 6 3 - 5 7 5 2 7


5 7 6 4 - 4 7 - 13 4


4 - 7 4 - 5 - 8 4 2

Had trouble with transportation 3 4 2 3 - 2 4 - 2 4

Other 13 19 7 13 13 13 13 9 15



. Career Level Household Income Kids in HH Gender


Mgmnt/Sr Ldr


n= 192 30 58 44 87 98 114 78 59 133

% % % % % % % % % %



Had child(ren) 13 17 9 7 11 13 11 15 - 18



10 10 9 14 14 8 11 10 8 11




9 17 7 11 15 5 11 8 14 8



Didn't feel connected to the campus life 5 3 9 7 5 6 4 6 3 6

Illness/illness of a family member 4 3 2 2 7 1 4 4 - 5


Other 13 7 16 9 16 11 16 9 19 11



. Geography Motivation For Returning To School


n= 192 145 47 25 22 40

% % % % % %

Moved to a different area 19 17 23 16 9 23

Couldn't afford it 15 17 11 12 32 13

Had child(ren) 13 14 9 16 5 23

Got married/divorced 11 13 6 8 - 8

I was dissatisfied with some aspect of [school] 10 10 11 20 18 3

Got a job/changed jobs 10 9 13 12 14 5

Didn't feel ready for college 10 8 17 12 5 8

Lost interest in the degree I was pursuing 9 10 6 12 9 5

Wasn't doing well in school 9 11 4 16 9 10

Finished courses/classes 6 6 6 - 5 8

Didn't feel connected to the campus life 5 6 2 4 14 5

Illness/illness of a family member 4 3 4 8 5 5

Had trouble with transportation 3 3 - - 5 -

Other 13 10 21 8 14 13



. Age

Total 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

n= 192 41 51 56 44

% % % % %

Moved to a different area 19 22 12 20 23

Couldn't afford it 15 12 28 9 11

Had child(ren) 13 12 17 9 16

Got married/divorced 11 2 14 9 21

I was dissatisfied with some aspect of [school] 10 17 12 5 9

Got a job/changed jobs 10 2 10 11 16

Didn't feel ready for college 10 20 4 13 5

Lost interest in the degree I was pursuing 9 7 14 7 9

Wasn't doing well in school 9 20 12 5 2

Finished courses/classes 6 7 0 13 2

Didn't feel connected to the campus life 5 10 8 2 2

Illness/illness of a family member 4 7 2 5 0

Had trouble with transportation 3 0 2 5 2

Other 13 10 12 9 23


Reasons for Dissatisfaction (If Dissatisfied with Some Aspect)

Lack of academic advising

The campus/school didn't provide helpful or effective support

Class schedules were not flexible enough

Course selection/availability too limited

School policies and procedures were too complicated or confusing to navigate

Was unhappy with faculty member(s)

Was unhappy with staff member(s)

I missed a deadline because I was not given informa-tion in a timely manner

Other

50%

50%

25%

25%

20%

15%

15%

10%

25%

Asked of respondents who stopped attending most recent school because they were dissatisfied with some aspect of the school. Respondents were allowed to mark multiple responses. “What aspect(s) of the school were you dissatisfied with?” (n=20)

Class scheduling and availability were reasons for dissatisfaction among a quarter of respondents.


Earliest School Attended

Median Age Enrolled



18 years old

19 years old

1 year76%

18%

6%


The median age for enrollment at earliest school for those that rated a third school is 18 years old.

Earliest school attended by each respondent. (n=55)


Earliest School Attended (cont.)

Stopouts

Likelihood to Return to School

Total 2+Not Very/Not At All

n= 37 28

% % %

Enrollment Age

Mean 19 20 19

Median 18 18 18

Mode 18 18 18


Mean 21 21 20

Median 19 20 19

Mode 19 19 19

Student Type

Full-time 76 78 75

Part-time 18 16 18


6 5 7



Household Income Kids in HH Gender Age

TotalUnder $50k $50k+ No Yes Male Female

Under 45 45+

n= 55 25 28 36 19 18 37 24 31

% % % % % % % % %

Enrollment Age

Mean 19 18 20 19 19 20 19 19 20

Median 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18

Mode 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18


Mean 21 20 21 21 20 21 20 20 21

Median 19 19 19 19 20 20 19 19 19

Mode 19 19 18 19 18 20 18 19 19

Student Type

Full-time 76 88 64 81 68 89 70 79 74

Part-time 18 8 29 14 26 6 24 17 19


5 4 7 6 5 6 5 4 7



Geography

Total Urban Rural

n= 55 47 8

% % %

Enrollment Age

Mean 19 19 21

Median 18 18 19

Mode 18 18 18


Mean 21 20 22

Median 19 19 20

Mode 19 19 19

Student Type

Full-time 76 75 88

Part-time 18 19 12


5 6 -


Reasons for Dropping Out of Earliest School Attended







Illness/Illness of a family member


Had child(ren)



Couldn't afford it

Other

22%

15%

15%

15%

13%

9%

7%

7%

6%

6%

4%

2%

24%

Respondents asked, ”Why did you stop attending [school]?” Respondents allowed to mark multiple responses (n=55)

The primary reason for dropping out of school attended was relocation.


Reasons for Dropping Out of Earliest School Attended (cont.)

Stopouts

Likelihood to Return to School

Total 2+Not Very/Not At All

n= 55 37 28

% % %

Don't have the money/can't take on more debt 44 51 35

Don't have time 25 27 24

Feel like I'm too old to go back to school 24 23 27

Don't need a degree for the work I am currently doing 22 21 29

Don't want/need to return to school 15 13 23


10 12 9

Don't know how to start the process to go back to school 6 5 4

Don't have childcare options 5 7 4

There aren't any schools convenient to where I live 5 5 4


4 4 5

Other 9 12 8



Household Income Kids in HH Gender Age

TotalUnder $50k $50k+ No Yes Male Female

Under 45 45+

n= 55 25 28 36 19 18 37 24 31

% % % % % % % % %

Moved to a different area 22 28 18 17 32 28 19 42 7


15 12 18 11 21 6 19 25 7

Got married/divorced 15 - 29 11 21 11 16 13 16

Wasn't doing well in school 15 20 11 14 16 33 5 13 16

Got a job/changed jobs 13 16 4 14 11 11 14 4 19


9 12 7 8 11 6 11 13 7


7 12 4 11 - 11 5 4 10

Illness/illness of a family member 7 16 - 8 5 - 11 4 10

Had child(ren) 5 8 4 - 16 6 5 13 -

Didn't feel ready for college 5 8 4 8 - 11 3 8 3

Had trouble with transportation 4 8 - - 11 - 5 4 3

Couldn't afford it 2 - 4 3 - - 3 - 3

Other 24 24 25 25 21 33 19 13 32



Geography

Total Urban Rural

n= 55 47 8

% % %

Moved to a different area 22 21 25

Lost interest in the degree I was pursuing 15 15 13

Got married/divorced 15 13 25

Wasn't doing well in school 15 17 -

Got a job/changed jobs 13 13 13

Didn't feel connected to the campus life 9 11 -

I was dissatisfied with some aspect of [school] 7 9 -

Illness/illness of a family member 7 6 13

Had child(ren) 5 6 -

Didn't feel ready for college 5 4 13

Had trouble with transportation 4 4 -

Couldn't afford it 2 2 -

Other 24 26 13

Documents

A DULT L EARNERS R ESEARCH Prepared For: Walker + Associates January 2015 Policy, Planning, and Research Tennessee Higher Education Commission