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Commentary: Why California must expand community college bachelor’s degrees

April 12, 2026

Julianna M. Asperin Barnes is chancellor of the South Orange County Community College District.

In South Orange County, we are proud to say something that speaks volumes, not just about our colleges, but about what is possible when access meets excellence.

Saddleback College is home to the No. 1 nursing program in California for NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) pass rates.

That means our graduates are not only prepared, but they are also leading the state in readiness to serve on the front lines of health care. They are entering hospitals, clinics and community settings with the skills, confidence and compassion needed to care for our communities at the highest level.

But here’s the question we must ask: What happens next for these students?

A recent graduate shared her story. After completing Saddleback’s top-ranked nursing program, she was ready to take the next step, a bachelor’s degree that would allow her to advance in her field and expand her impact. Yet like so many others, she encountered barriers: impacted university programs, high costs and the inability to relocate.

She did everything right and still found the next door closed.

Her story is not unique. It reflects the reality for thousands of Californians who begin their journey at community colleges, excel in high-quality programs and then struggle to continue simply because of limited access to affordable, local bachelor’s degree opportunities.

At the South Orange County Community College District, we see both the challenge and the solution.

Community college baccalaureate degree programs are one of the most effective tools we have to bridge this gap. They allow students, especially working adults, first-generation college students and place-bound learners, to continue their education without uprooting their lives. And they do so at a cost that makes opportunity attainable.

Consider this: a bachelor’s degree at Saddleback College or Irvine Valley College costs approximately $10,500. Compare that to at least $25,800 at a California State University or more than $62,000 at a University of California campus. For many students, that difference determines whether they move forward or stop altogether.

But affordability is only part of the story.

Programs like Saddleback’s No. 1-ranked nursing program are already aligned with workforce needs. Our health care partners, including Mission Hospital, CHOC and Hoag, consistently share the same message: The demand for highly trained nurses continues to outpace supply.

We are already producing the best-prepared associate-degree nurses in the state. Imagine the impact if those same students could seamlessly continue into bachelor’s programs, right where they started.

Expanding community college bachelor’s degrees isn’t just about access — it’s about maximizing excellence.

It’s about taking programs that are already leading the state and extending their impact to meet regional workforce needs. It’s about ensuring that talent doesn’t stall out, but instead continues to grow — benefiting students, employers and entire communities.

And Californians agree.

A recent survey found that 8 in 10 voters support allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees. That support crosses political, economic and demographic lines. People understand what is at stake: access, affordability and workforce readiness.

Yet California’s current system continues to limit progress. Community colleges face lengthy approval processes, caps on new programs and barriers that prevent expansion — even when there is clear workforce demand and proven program success.

In contrast, these same barriers are not faced by private colleges when they expand baccalaureate programs in California, often charging 10-20 times what community colleges charge for tuition, leaving students with unconscionable debt burdens.

In a state known for innovation, this approach is outdated. We can and should do better.

Other states like Florida and Washington have embraced community college baccalaureate degrees and are seeing strong results — closing workforce gaps and increasing degree attainment. Meanwhile, California continues to restrict one of its most effective pathways to economic mobility.

At SOCCCD, we are committed to changing that.

Through our Inspire 2035 vision, we are focused on expanding access, strengthening workforce alignment, and building programs that already demonstrate excellence — like our No.1 nursing program at Saddleback College.

But we cannot do it alone.

The call to action is clear: If community colleges admit the top 100% of students, we must also provide 100% of those students with a pathway to success — including access to affordable, local bachelor’s degrees.

Because when we have programs that are already the best in the state, the goal should not be to stop there.

It should be to build on that success — and open more doors for the students who have earned their way through them.

This is not just an education issue. It is an economic imperative. It is a workforce solution.

And most importantly, it is a matter of equity.

California’s students are ready. Our programs are proven. Our communities are counting on us.

Now, our policies must rise to meet the moment.

The news and editorial staffs of the Orange County Register had no role in this post’s preparation.

Orange County Register

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Commentary: Why California must expand community college bachelor’s degrees

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