Community Colleges: Growth and Opportunities

The 2009-2010 school year saw an explosion in applications to and attendance at community colleges as traditional-age students began choosing them to save money and people began returning mid-career to gain new skills. Community colleges, sometimes perceived as less prestigious and wealthy than other types of postsecondary institutions, have not always been on vendors’ radar screens – at least not more than peripherally. Now they are facing new and difficult challenges that can be addressed by specialized content, technology, professional development, and assessment tools. As community colleges need innovative and engaging solutions, traditional vendors and market disruptors may find some new streams of revenue. This report contains:

- An analysis of community colleges “by the numbers” – numbers, enrollment, tuition, degrees conferred, and cost of books;
- Analysis of market drivers and market inhibitors;
- Outsell estimates for the size of the markets for assessment, professional development, content, and technology – learning management systems;
- Essential actions for vendors in this market.