Increasing Community College Graduation Rates

A Synthesis of Findings on the ASAP Model from Six Colleges Across Two States


This paper presents new estimates of the effects of the City University of New York (CUNY) Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) model, evaluated using a randomized controlled trial first in New York and later through a replication in Ohio. It describes longer-term effects of CUNY ASAP in New York, showing that the program’s effects on associate’s degree receipt persisted through eight years and likely represent a permanent increase in degree receipt. The paper also offers an analysis from the pooled study samples in New York and Ohio. The findings indicate that the program has consistent effects on degree receipt across different states but also for somewhat different levels of service contrast, such as the number of additional advising visits.

Miller, Cynthia and Michael J. Weiss. 2021. “Increasing Community College Graduation Rates.” New York: MDRC.