Every community college reformer aims to expedite degree completion and enhance student success. The City University of New York’s (CUNY) ASAP program, celebrated for this achievement, faces scrutiny after a 14-year study revealed no correlation between additional degrees and increased earnings.
College graduates typically earn more than those without degrees, with New York two-year degree holders earning $10,000 to $14,000 more annually. The question arises: why didn’t CUNY’s ASAP program boost salaries?
Launched in 2007, ASAP (Accelerated Study in Associate Programs) addresses dropout rates by offering intensive support, including mandatory academic advising and financial aid for textbooks and transport. A 2010 randomized trial of 900 low-income, full-time students at three CUNY colleges showed 40% ASAP completion versus 22% in a control group—a significant 18% difference.
The program’s success was replicated in Ohio and Westchester County, New York, extending to over 90 colleges across 11 states. Despite this, a recent follow-up study through 2024 shows ASAP’s degree advantage diminishing, with 58% of ASAP students earning a degree compared to 50% in the control group.
However, MDRC’s research found no earnings advantage for ASAP participants over 14 years. Graduates and dropouts alike earned similar incomes to non-ASAP peers, per New York state data, averaging $37,000 annually, factoring in unemployment or out-of-state work. Future studies may include out-of-state earnings, though changes are not anticipated.
A potential issue is the perceived market value of associate degrees. In 2010, ASAP excluded high-demand fields like nursing and health technology, with many graduates earning liberal arts degrees. These fields often lead to lower-paying jobs, while non-degree holders may advance more quickly in careers like retail management.
Liberal arts may lead to higher degrees, but ASAP showed no long-term impact on bachelor’s completion, except for a 3% acceleration. Some community colleges, like those in North Carolina, now guide students toward workforce-aligned majors.
Christine Brongniart, CUNY ASAP’s executive director, supports an inclusive approach, helping all full-time students complete degrees quickly in their chosen fields. Although CUNY acknowledges ASAP isn’t solely about earnings, monetary outcomes are vital for taxpayer-funded programs.
ASAP’s cost per student dropped to $3,400 annually from $6,000 in 2010, now serving over 22,000 students with a $76 million budget. Recent updates added career counseling, urging students to explore job fairs and alternative career paths, potentially increasing future earnings.
In contrast, Ohio’s ASAP program, targeting a different demographic and labor market, showed significant earnings gains six to eight years post-enrollment. Arnold Ventures, funding ASAP’s expansion, cites positive Ohio outcomes, suggesting further research is necessary. “Single studies rarely provide complete answers,” they noted in a statement.
CUNY’s ASAP highlights the journey beyond graduation, emphasizing it as the start of a complex path toward a middle-class lifestyle.
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