More than a third of community college students have vanished in the United States

[natshar]

I once took a photoshop course in person at CC. On the first day we all had to say why we were taking the class teacher did an informal survey by show of hands. Half the class was non traditional (adult) students just taking it to learn photoshop. CCs often offer more technical courses like auto body, graphic design, etc. that Four Unis might not offer. (or at least my CC did).

Heck, I even met a women in 40s taking a math class simply to learn math. She wasn't trying to get a degree or anything she just wanted to improve her math skills by taking one course and had the time and wanted an in person environment with structure and goals. CC attracts people like that. In my state CC is stupid cheap and they even have free/discounted tuition if you meet certain age/income/demographic reqs. But you have to be "degree seeking" in order to do that.(federal?) law that in order to get financial aid you have to have a program. Non-degree seeking students don't get aid of any kind. So many people pick a "program" they have no intention of doing just so they qualify for aid.