Government-funded free community college programs are gaining broad support across the country, providing access to higher education at a time when many people are questioning its value and cost.
Massachusetts is part of the free community college movement. Beginning with the launch of MassReconnect in Fall 2023, the state offered free community college to adults over the age of 25. This fall, with MassEducate, the program expanded to all Massachusetts residents, becoming the most comprehensive of its kind in the nation.
This report from Hildreth Institute examines MassReconnect’s impact on adult student enrollment, who benefited, and who missed out. These findings provide insights to guide future improvements and ensure that these investments achieve maximum impact.