This digest discusses research on economic gains for community college students and explores whether a community college education serves to minimize the wage gap between women and men and between advantaged and disadvantaged groups. It summarizes research that supports the assertion that a community college education offers economic advancement over and above the high school diploma. One study cited in the report documented a 15% increase in income between high school graduates and individuals with some college or an associate's degree. The digest also discusses two contradictory studies concerning the relationship between an increase in education and the absolute earnings gap between men and women. For all other group comparisons (black versus white, low-income versus non-low-income), the research suggests that while community college degrees improved job status and earnings for everyone, the gaps between the advantaged and disadvantaged increased both relatively and absolutely with sub-baccalaureate education. Policy and practice suggestions are offered for creating equitable economic and social outcomes for students. One example would be to combine academic and applied learning in classroom training in order to connect education and the workplace. (RC)