Half of Community College Students Change Programs Despite Initial Certainty, Study Finds

Half of community college students change their program of study within their first two years despite expressing high levels of certainty about their initial choice, according to a new report from the Community College Research Center at Teachers College, Columbia University.

The report examined 42 students who enrolled at four community colleges across California, Maryland, Ohio, and Texas in fall 2023. Researchers conducted interviews in summer 2025 and administered three waves of surveys to track how students’ program choices and certainty levels evolved over time.

“Choosing a program of study is one of the most important decisions community college students make, one that defines the college experience and lays a foundation for future career trajectories,” the report states. “Making the choice is not always easy.”

Among the 42 students interviewed, 21 remained in their original program while the other half changed to different programs-with nearly all switching to entirely different fields rather than related programs within the same area.

The findings reveal that students’ expressed certainty often masks deeper complexities in their decision-making. According to the report, 48% of students remained certain about their program choice throughout the study period, while 38% became more certain over time. However, this certainty didn’t prevent program changes.

“From an external perspective, it is not always clear what is driving students’ decisions because students are evaluating programs across a number of dimensions,” the researchers write. “In some cases, they may change programs not because their interests have changed but because their college experience has shown them a new way of pursuing their goals.”

The study found that students who felt very certain about their choices typically had longstanding interests and valued whether the program fit their personal goals and was enjoyable. Those who became more certain over time often started college with general interests but needed classroom experience and faculty connections to solidify their confidence.

However, a few students never felt completely certain. The report describes two students who “were wrestling with deeper uncertainties about their educational and career goals,” with one stating she picked a program simply because “you have to do something.”

A critical finding was that few students sought help from college faculty and staff or participated in program and career exploration activities offered by their institutions.

“Faculty and staff at the four colleges participating in the study described multiple opportunities to help students explore programs and careers, including program and career fairs, multiple types of skills assessments and career interest surveys and tools, advising and career counseling, and a range of internship opportunities,” the report notes. “Yet, offering various support services does not ensure participation.”

The research identified several factors influencing program choice and certainty, including students’ perceptions of their own talents and skills, expected labor market outcomes, family and peer opinions, and classroom experiences. Students who changed programs often discovered they didn’t enjoy their coursework as much as expected, struggled academically, or became concerned about employment opportunities.

The report offers four recommendations for community colleges:

First, institutions should survey incoming students to understand which students are truly certain about their program choice and what type of guidance different students need, rather than relying solely on the program students select during application.

Second, colleges should make program and career exploration mandatory for all new students, potentially through redesigned first-year experience courses or restructured student services that prioritize advising and case management.

Third, institutions should help students navigate the overwhelming amount of online program and career information by enhancing their own websites, creating career guides, and using advising appointments to discuss students’ independent research.

Finally, colleges should ensure students can enroll in an “inspire” course in their field of interest during their first term, rather than limiting new students to general education requirements.

“The process of choosing a program of study is complicated: Students are attempting to balance family expectations, their personal interests and goals, and hopes for future employment opportunities,” the researchers conclude. “The recommendations we provide respond to what we learned from all our interviewees; they are intended to help colleges provide guidance and support to all students as they explore and choose a program of study.”

The research was supported by Ascendium Education Group. The 42 students interviewed were drawn from a pool of 2,571 who completed all three waves of the longitudinal survey. The sample was racially and ethnically diverse, with 54% identifying as Hispanic and 21% as Black, and gender balanced with 48% female and 48% male students.