ASU Offering Cheaper Degrees To California’s 2.1 Million Community College Students
By Staff Reporter |
Arizona State University (ASU) will be offering more affordable bachelor’s degrees to the 2.1 million community college students in California.
ASU announced on Tuesday that it was expanding the California Community College Achievement Plan (CCCAP) to create transfer pathways at all 116 community colleges in California.
The university decided to capitalize on the small transfer rate (10%) of California students going from community college to a four-year university.
ASU’s chief operations officer for EdPlus, Casey Evans, said this expansion was a critical investment in California’s future.
“We believe access to higher education should not be limited by geography or cost,” said Evans. “The California Community College Achievement Plan expands opportunity statewide, creating more accessible pathways through ASU Online for students to earn their degrees and contribute to California’s future.”
EdPlus oversees ASU Online in addition to:
- NeoSTEM, a platform combining personalized instruction tools Orchard and Digit for STEM students;
- Study Hall, a platform awarding reduced-cost college credits through YouTube videos;
- Dreamscape Learn, integrating virtual reality into courses;
- The ASU+GSV Summit;
- Zai Xian, a Chinese version of ASU Online offering non-English degrees in Mandarin to Chinese-speaking students;
- Cintana Education, a partnership opening up ASU resources, courses, and support with other universities that are part of the Cintana Alliance;
- Baobab, a platform providing networking, growth, and career development to Mastercard Foundation Scholars;
- e-SHE, an educational program for Ethiopians;
- Air Force Global College, a program providing professional development to Air Force servicemembers;
- Partnership with University of Tennessee, Knoxville to expand degree pathways and course catalogs;
- The Hall of Teachers project at the Bishop Museum in Hawai’i;
- The Earned Admission program; and,
- Tuition-coverage partnerships for Starbucks, Uber, and InStride employees.
California community college students receive a special tuition rate of $450 per credit hour. The regular tuition per credit hour for ASU Online undergraduate is about $600.
Meaning, online undergraduates who transfer from California community colleges save more than 20% on tuition compared to what Arizona residents pay.
ASU also prioritizes the maximization of transfer credits and personalized support for the program. Personalized support available to CCCAP students includes advisors, career services, and success coaches.
Only students who earned an associate degree or at least 30 credits from a California community college qualify for CCCAP.
ASU launched the pilot program of the CCCAP last fall. At the time, 26 community colleges in California were part of the pilot program.
Daniel Walden, the CEO of Victor Valley College, one of California’s community colleges, said CCCAP greatly benefits California residents and communities. The ASU News feature of the CCCAP expansion made no mention of impact to Arizonans or their communities.
“This partnership with ASU Online creates a clear and affordable path for our graduates to reach their goals, enrich their lives and strengthen our communities,” said Walden.
The latest financial aid report from the Arizona Board of Regents (issued 2021) found that 55 percent of ASU undergraduates graduated in debt.
Over 15,000 students in California already attend ASU’s online schooling.
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