Increasing Postsecondary Access Through Community College Baccalaureate Degrees

Historically, community colleges have served as an entry point to higher education for many students, particularly nontraditional older students as well as those from low-income households.

Community colleges provide general education courses that often, but not always, are transferable to public four-year colleges and universities. For students who persist, the outcome at community colleges has traditionally been a two-year associate degree.

Over the past 20 years, however, the line in the sand separating two- and four-year postsecondary institutions has begun to erode.

Twenty states have begun meeting the demand for more bachelor’s degrees by giving community colleges an expanded role and allowing them to offer four-year degrees.

By Tim Weldon

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