Report outlines path to four-year bachelor degrees at Iowa community colleges

IOWA CITY — Expanding Iowa’s community college offerings to include four-year bachelor’s degrees could address the state’s growing workforce needs, shrink its “educational deserts” in rural communities, and improve earnings for Iowans.

But imposing the sweeping change across Iowa’s 15 community colleges — defined in Iowa Code as offering, among other things, two years toward a bachelor’s degree but conferring “no more than an associate degree” — could come with challenges too.

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Institutional capacity, faculty demands, funding sources, tuition rates, and accreditation requirements are among hurdles highlighted in a “Community Colleges for Iowa Bachelor’s Degrees Interim Study Report” submitted to lawmakers Friday in response to Rep. Taylor Collins’ request in January for an interim report by May 31.

Plus, there’s the potential for culture change across the state’s community college system — which for 60 years has pursued a Legislative-imposed mission of community, adult, and continuing education through two-year associate degrees, certificates, or other high school-level academic programming.

“One significant consideration is the culture shift that may occur among faculty. Community college faculty have traditionally focused on teaching and workforce readiness, while faculty at four-year institutions often engage in scholarship and research alongside instruction,” according to the report submitted to lawmakers Thursday. “Additionally, the historical mission of community colleges, which emphasizes open access, affordability, and workforce-aligned education, could be impacted.”

By adding to the mix four-year bachelor’s degrees, Iowa’s community colleges would need to give “careful consideration” to ensuring continued affordability and commitment to associate degree and certificate programs, according to the report.

“Iowa would also need to evaluate the impact on existing transfer agreements and partnerships with four-year institutions, ensuring that community college bachelor’s programs complement rather than compete with public and private universities.”

Faculty workloads

Iowa would be far from unique in expanding its community college offerings to include bachelor’s degrees — with 203 community colleges in 24 states currently offering 736 baccalaureate degrees, addressing a growing need for workers with four-year degrees.

By 2031, 72 percent of the nation’s jobs will require some form of postsecondary education or training — although only 42 percent will need a bachelor’s degree. In Iowa, projections estimate 388,000 jobs will require a four-year degree by 2031 — while 2023 figures indicated 109,587 Iowans have bachelor’s degrees.

“This comparison highlights a gap between educational attainment and projected workforce needs,” according to the report, which also promised to address questions of degree gaps, faculty qualifications, accreditation, facilities needs, funding requirements, and tuition rates.

“From a resource standpoint, the ability to scale facilities, secure faculty with advanced credentials, and ensure clinical space availability is critical. Some community colleges may require new investments in technology, lab space, and student support services to align with bachelor’s-level accreditation requirements.”

Given current faculty requirements outlined by the Iowa Department of Education and Higher Learning Commission, “most of the community college instructors who teach arts and science courses would already meet the qualifications to teach at the bachelor’s degree level.” But career-and-technical faculty allowed to use work experience to qualify wouldn’t — meaning about 62 percent of Iowa’s community college instructors already are qualified to teach at the bachelor’s level.

“This could prompt policy discussions on faculty credentialing, workload adjustments, and professional development needs,” according to the report, noting community college instructors already average more credit hours per semester than the 16-hour cap. “If baccalaureate programs were implemented, faculty workloads would need to be re-evaluated.”

‘Significant cost disparity’

With tuition and fees accounting for the largest source of the community colleges’ operational revenue at nearly half — expanding to include bachelor’s degrees “would require careful planning to ensure financial sustainability.”

“Policymakers must weigh multiple factors, including the potential impact on existing state appropriations, tuition models, and student aid programs, to prevent unintended consequences for associate degree and certificate programs,” according to the report. “Iowa can evaluate models from other states to inform potential approaches that supports students, institutions, and workforce needs, ensuring that community college baccalaureate programs thrive without undermining the mission of two-year institutions.”

Some states have increased tuition for bachelor’s students; some have requested dedicated state support or grant funding for initial baccalaureate program development; and others have explored industry partnerships and philanthropy.

Given Iowa’s rural landscape, 11 of its community college districts lack a public university within a 30-mile drive, “meaning students in these areas have fewer options for an affordable bachelor’s degree.”

If you include private colleges and universities, five community college regions remain in an “educational dessert.”

“Even when four-year institutions exist within reasonable proximity, tuition differences between community colleges and universities can create a financial barrier that discourages students from continuing their education,” according to the report.

In Iowa, the average undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 academic year was $10,668 for in-state students at public four-year institutions, $33,621 at private colleges, and $6,815 at Iowa’s community colleges, according to updated state data.

“These figures highlight the significant cost disparity between public and private higher education options within the state,” according to the report, surmising that community college bachelor’s degrees nationally have presented “a more affordable pathway to a four-year degree.”

Even without four-year degrees, though, Iowa’s community college tuition already exceeds the national average, “partly due to comparatively low levels of state general aid support.”

“In states that have implemented (community college bachelor’s) programs, tuition structures have been developed with attention to competitiveness and affordability, particularly in relation to four-year public institutions,” according to the report. “These models may provide useful context for Iowa’s evaluation of potential approaches, especially in considering how tuition policies address ongoing funding challenges and student affordability.”

A final report with recommendations is due to lawmakers by Oct. 31.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com