Understanding Student Beliefs and Choices Related to Cross-Enrollment to Square Practice with Theory

Abstract

College students make repeated course enrollment decisions, which are informed by their beliefs and preferences about course and institutional characteristics. Cross-enrollment, an enrollment pattern in which community college students simultaneously take a class at a 4-year college or university while still enrolled in classes at their community college, poses unique considerations. This article examines community college students’ beliefs and preferences related to enrollment on their home campus and at a nearby four-year college. We surveyed 671 transfer-intending students at three California community colleges about their beliefs around the costs and benefits of course-taking at their home community college and a neighboring university. We also conducted a choice-based conjoint experiment to understand how students weigh various factors related to selecting courses at both institutions. We find that community college students’ course enrollment decisions at their home campus are driven by cost and anticipated workload, combined with concerns about academic preparation and access to support. However, concerns about administrative burdens associated with transferring credit between institutions drive students’ decisions about course enrollment at a neighboring university. These findings are important for administrators planning course offerings and policymakers seeking to increase rates of cross-enrollment.