The percentages indicate the proportion of degrees awarded to members of the specific minority group. They do not represent retention or graduation rates. This is the second year the newspaper has done so. The listing reflects a growing realization among many community, junior and technical college officials that many students attend college seeking objectives short of an associate's degree. At some colleges, non-degree seeking students can make up as much as half or more of the student population.
Certificates represent one such alternative at community colleges.
The data for this study come from the U.S. Department of Education. The survey requests data on the number of degrees and other formal awards conferred in academic, vocational and continuing professional education programs. The instructional program codes provide a common set of categories of disciplines allowing comparisons across all colleges and universities. Community College Week decided to publish the 1995-96 data this year, even though they are still regarded as preliminary by the National Center for Educational Statistics. Many of the lists in this analysis include or are based upon students' racial or ethnic status.