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Helping All Students Realize the Promise of Higher Education

In today’s economy, people with a bachelor’s degree are more likely to find higher-paying jobs, better health, and a better quality of life, compared to those with a high school or associate degree. But in California and nationwide, Black, Latino, and Native American students and those from low-income families are much less likely than their peers to attain a four-year degree.

We are working with partners to ensure that more students can access the resources and supports they need to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

The Current Landscape

Research shows the need to reduce barriers to a bachelor’s degree in California.

A study commissioned by the Haas, Jr. Fund at the end of 2023 affirms the benefits of earning a bachelor’s degree but also highlights the need for greater access to financial aid for low-income students.

Less than high school
$26,928
High school graduate
$34,965
Some college
$42,817
Bachelor’s degree
$68,518
Graduate degree
$97,115
College Pays Off

A college graduate in California with a bachelor’s degree earns roughly twice as much money and accumulates significantly more wealth than a peer with only a high school degree.

Cost of attendance
$29,408
Net cost after financial aid
$11,296
Cost is Still a Barrier for Many

Currently, total student costs can be reduced by at least half across California’s public higher education systems through various financial aid options. But more financial aid is needed to ensure that cost is not a barrier to a bachelor’s degree for lower-income students and their families.

Students are not getting the support they need to complete their degrees.

Wide disparities exist for Black, Latino, and Native American students when it comes to college access and degree completion in California. Too many students in community colleges are also not transferring to four-year institutions and completing their studies.

49%
54%
58%
66%
67%
CA State University
75%
76%
79%
84%
89%
University of CA
Black
Native Ameri­can
Lati­no
White
Asian
Graduation Disparities Persist

The percentage of Black, Latino, and Native American students completing a bachelor’s degree and graduating from a four-year college is lower than it is for white and Asian students.

Not enrolled
55%
Transferred, graduated
10%
Transferred, still enrolled
9%
Still enrolled
9%
Graduated, 1st college
17%
Part-time
Not enrolled
39%
Transferred, graduated
14%
Transferred, still enrolled
8%
Still enrolled
7%
Graduated, 1st college
32%
Full-time
The Transfer Process is Broken

Only 10% of part-time and 14% of full-time community college students transfer and obtain a bachelor’s degree six years after initial enrollment.

How We’ll Get There

Dismantling Barriers to a Bachelor's Degree

We are working with partners to tackle barriers that prevent students of color, low-income students, and first-generation students in California from attaining a four-year degree. Our primary focus: creating an accessible, affordable, and easy-to-navigate pathway to a bachelor’s degree for more students. Together, we can help more students and their families realize the lifelong benefits of higher education. Here are three priorities we’re focusing on:

  • Advancing policies and programs that expand access to financial aid and that help students and families understand what is available to them.

  • Streamlining and improving the transfer process from California Community Colleges to four-year institutions where students can obtain a bachelor’s degree.

  • Scaling innovative programs and systems that help students navigate the enrollment and transfer processes and persist to degree completion.

Sharing What We’re Learning

In addition to this work, the Haas, Jr. Fund is working with partners to help show why it’s important to ensure that more underrepresented students obtain a bachelor’s degree, and how to make it happen.

Parent with his daughter at college graduation

Perspec­tives

We’re sharing insights on strategies to expand access to a bachelor’s degree, and where there’s progress.

Explore Perspectives
College students clapping at graduation

Messag­ing

We recently commissioned a messaging guide to boost broad support for college affordability and access in California.

Learn More
Woman speaking at college graduation ceremony

Resourc­es

We’re committed to learning with our partners and peers and sharing helpful resources we discover.

Explore Resources

Program Staff

Explore our timeline of key milestones in College Success

What it means to me to be the first member of my family to graduate high school and go to college is that I am finally fulfilling a generational wish that my [family] had. It is to show that... everything they put into me... is now going to be achieved.

Richard, college student in Walnut, California