Two factors have fueled the growth of Texas' community colleges. First, increasing numbers of older adults are returning to college to obtain further education and training. Second, the cost of attending a public community college is much lower than that of attending a university. There are 70 campuses across the state, compared to 35 public university campuses in Texas. Community colleges also have a broad responsibility under Texas law.
Community colleges play an important role in equalizing educational opportunities.
Fifty-six percent of students are female, and community colleges enroll more minorities than do the state's universities. The proportion of African-American students at community colleges is twice that at public universities. Unlike universities, where Hispanics and African-Americans are underrepresented in relation to their share of the adult population, enrollment at community colleges more closely reflects the adult population. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board tracked entering community college students to record their progress from 1989 to 1995. The analysis looked at students entering college for the first time.