Does Age of Entrance Affect Community College Completion Probabilities? Evidence From a Discrete-Time Hazard Model

Abstract

Research has consistently shown that older students—those who enter college for the first time at age 25 or older—are less likely to complete a degree or certificate. The authors estimate a single-risk discrete-time hazard model using transcript data on a cohort of first-time community college students in Florida to compare the educational outcomes of older and traditional-age students. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the authors’ results suggest that after controlling for cognitive mathematics ability, older students enrolled in Florida community colleges have a higher conditional probability of completing a degree or certificate in the observed event period.