The Takeaway for Students:
- The cost of college tuition and student loan debt have cause colleges to rethink their charges
- Community colleges are leading the way in providing affordable bachelor’s degrees
- Many schools now offer bachelor’s degrees for $10,000 or less
We all know a few things about college:
- We all know college tuition is expensive.
- We know student loan debt is out of control – more than $40,000 for each person.
- And we know from College Consensus polling that Americans have a lot less faith in higher education than they used to.
We also know that you make a lot more with a higher education – 59% higher with a bachelor’s degree over a high school diploma! And things are changing. Tuition inflation is finally on the way down, and the Education Data Initiative found that 2023 was the first year on record that student loan debt decreased.
A lot of the reason? States and colleges working to reduce costs and improve access, with online degrees, open enrollment, and $10,000 bachelor’s degrees.
What is the $10k Bachelor’s Degree?
What if you could get a bachelor’s degree for less than $10,000? How would that make a difference in your life?
In 2011, Texas Governor Rick Perry made a speech urging the Texas higher education system to develop bachelor’s degrees for under $10,000. In 2012, Rick Scott made the same challenge to Florida.
In Texas, community colleges and universities worked together to create $10,000 bachelors:
- Sul Ross State University and Southwest Texas Junior College: This partnership allows students to complete an associate’s degree at the junior college and then transfer to Sul Ross for a bachelor’s degree, keeping the total cost under $10,000.
- University of Texas-Permian Basin: This university offers a $10,000 bachelor’s degree through its Texas Science Scholar program, which provides merit scholarships to qualifying students.
- Angelo State University: This university offers a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies for $10,000, allowing students to complete their entire degree on campus.
And the initiative is still growing. Even in 2024, Texas Tech launched new $10,000 bachelor’s degrees using its online degree completion programs. Texas has accomplished its goals in a few different ways:
- Focus on Specific Programs: The initiative emphasizes specific degree programs and pathways that can be completed at a lower cost.
- Partnerships: Collaboration between universities and community colleges plays a crucial role in keeping costs down.
- Merit Scholarships: Some programs rely on merit scholarships to help students achieve the $10,000 goal.
Meanwhile, all 23 Florida College System institutions offering baccalaureate degrees decided to participate in the program. As of 2019, more than 15,000 students were enrolled in programs with a $10,000-degree option. However, the average cost of these programs has increased to $13,826 due to rising costs and the addition of new programs.
The $10,000 bachelor’s degree initiative is a valuable program for Floridians who want to earn a college degree but are concerned about the cost. It offers a more affordable option for obtaining a high-quality education and can help students achieve their career goals.
The response to the $10,000 bachelor’s degree initiative in Florida has been mixed. On the positive side, the initiative has increased access to higher education for Floridians, particularly those who are concerned about the cost of college. It has also put a strong emphasis on making college more affordable for residents.
However, the Florida initiative also faced challenges. The average cost of these programs has increased to just over $13,000, exceeding the original $10,000 goal.
Why Does the $10,000 Bachelor’s Degree Work?
What seems like a radical idea just a decade ago has spread across the US. Community colleges in nearly every state have developed their own bachelor’s degree programs. And if they’re not necessarily under $10,000, they are still far more affordable than traditional 4-year degrees.
These $10,000 degree programs have some limitations. They’re usually pretty narrowly focused – there’s not a lot of room to explore. They’re usually very career-focused – designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for specific jobs. They’re also very commonly in a few specific fields:
Business Administration
- Accounting
- Public Safety
- Supply Chain Management
Education
Healthcare
- Nursing
- Healthcare Management
- Biotech
Technology
- Information Technology
- Cybersecurity
- GIS
These are areas that are in high demand, usually in fields that are growing and need professionals. That means they are appealing to people already working in that field and want more credentials, or who want to get into a new career.
10 Colleges Offering Bachelor’s Degrees
These are some of the best community colleges across the US offering bachelor’s degrees. Some are online, some are on-campus. Most are under $10,000.
This is by not a comprehensive list. College Consensus just wants to give you an idea of what’s out there – a broad and inspiring group!
These schools are presented in alphabetical order.
1. Atlanta Metropolitan State College
Atlanta Metropolitan State College offers several bachelor’s degrees, including specializations in Business Administration and Organizational Leadership.
- Biological Science
- Business Administration
- Business Administration – Financial Technology
- Criminal Justice
- Film and Entertainment Studies (BA)
- Organizational Leadership – Health Care Administration Program
- Organizational Leadership – Office Technology Program
- Organizational Leadership – Public Service Program
- Organizational Leadership – Social Justice Program
2. Bellevue College
Bellevue College offers nearly two dozen bachelor’s degrees, with many specializations in data management, healthcare management, and radiation and imaging sciences. Many of Bellevue’s courses and degrees are available online.
- Applied Accounting, BAS
- Business Management and Technology, BAS
- Computer Science, BS
- Cybersecurity BAS
- Digital Marketing, BAS
- Health Promotion and Education, BAS
- Healthcare Informatics, BAS
- Data Management and Analysis BAS, Business Intelligence Concentration
- Data Management and Analysis BAS, Data Analytics Concentration
- Healthcare Management and Leadership, Healthcare Management General Concentration, BAS
- Healthcare Management and Leadership, Radiation and Imaging Management Concentration, BAS
- Interior Design, BAA
- Molecular Biosciences, BAS
- Nursing, RN to BSN, BS
- Radiation and Imaging Sciences, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Concentration, BAS
- Radiation and Imaging Sciences, Medical Dosimetry Concentration, BAS
- Radiation and Imaging Sciences, Nuclear Medicine Concentration, BAS
- Radiation and Imaging Sciences, Technology Concentration, BAS
- Software Development BAS, Application Development concentration
- Software Development BAS, Artificial Intelligence concentration
3. College of Southern Nevada
The College of Southern Nevada, is acommunity college and the largest college in Nevada. They offer numerous bachelor of science and bachelor of applied science degrees, especially in the healthcare field. Several of their degrees are fully online.
- Cardiorespiratory Sciences, BAS
- Culinary Arts, BAS
- Deaf Studies: American Sign Language/English Interpreting, BAS
- Environmental Conservation, BAS
- Environmental Laboratory Sciences, BAS
- Environmental Management, BAS
- Fire and Emergency Services Administration, BAS
- Food Service Operations, BAS
- Medical Laboratory Scientist, BAS
- Project Management, BAS
- Tourism, Convention and Event Planning, BAS
- Dental Hygiene, BS
- Dental Hygiene: Education Specialist, BS
- Dental Hygiene: Public Health Specialist, BS
- Nursing: RN to BSN, BS
4. Colorado Mountain College
Colorado Mountain College is a small Hispanic-serving institution offering 8 bachelor’s degree programs. CMC provides educational opportunity to the under-served populations in the Rocky Mountains.
- Business Administration
- Ecosystem Science & Stewardship (BS)
- Education (BA)
- Human Services (BA)
- Integrated Media (BAS)
- Leadership and Management (BAS)
- Nursing, RN to BSN (BSN)
- Sustainability Studies (BA)
5. Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College offers education for people of the Tri-Cities region of Washington State. With more than a dozen bachelor’s degrees, including completion programs, CBC emphasizes career growth and success.
- Applied Management, BAS
- Applied Management with Agriculture Concentration, BAS
- Applied Management with Healthcare Administration Concentration, BAS
- Community Health, BAS
- Cyber Security, BAS
- Dental Hygiene, BAS
- Dental Hygiene Completion, BAS
- Health Physics, BAS
- Nursing, BSN
- Project Management, BAS
- Project Management with Construction Concentration, BAS
- Software Development, BAS
- Teacher Education, BAS
6. Daytona State College
Dayton State College offers many affordable bachelor’s degrees – some under $10,000 – for students in Florida and beyond. Many of DSC’s degrees, such as accounting and nursing, are available fully online.
- Accounting (BS)
- Cardiopulmonary Science
- Elementary Education
- Engineering Technology
- Engineering Technology – Electrical Engineering Concentration
- Exceptional Education
- Information Technology
- Nursing
- Secondary Biology Education
- Secondary Chemistry Education
- Secondary Earth/Space ScienceEducation
- Secondary Mathematics Education
- Secondary Physics Education
- Supervision and Management
- Supervision and ManagementHospitality
7. Mayville State College
Maryville State College has earned recognition as one of the best online eductors in North Dakota. May of Maryville’s programs are fully online. Others, like early childhood and elementary education, are available in hybrid format.
- Accounting
- Agribusiness
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- English
- English Education
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Physical Education
- Special Education
- University Studies
8. Maricopa Community Colleges
Maricopa Community Colleges offer a wealth of degree options, including many fully online. With costs far below other schools in Arizona, MCC provides an excellent way to get a $10,000 bachelor’s degree.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (BS)
- Behavioral Sciences (BS)
- Business Administration—Accounting (BBA)
- Business Administration—Management (BBA)
- Data Analytics and Programming (BAS)
- Early Childhood Education—Dual Language (BA)
- Elementary Education and Special Education (BA)
- Information Technology (BAS)
- Nuclear Medicine Technology and Computed Tomography (BAS)
- Nursing (RN-BSN)
- Public Safety Administration (BAS)
9. Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College is the largest institution in the Florida Colleges System. MDC offers many bachelor’s degrees and online learning opportunities. It also enrolls more Hispanic students than any other Florida college.
- Artificial Intelligence (BS)
- Biological Sciences (Biopharmaceutical Services))
- Biological Sciences (Biotechnology)
- Biological Sciences (Science Education)
- Clinical Laboratory Science
- Data Analytics
- Early Childhood Education
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology
- Exceptional Student Education (K-12)
- Film, Television & Digital Production
- Health Science – Histotechnology
- Health Science – Physician Assistant Studies
- Information Systems Technology – Cybersecurity
- Information Systems Technology – Networking)
- Information Systems Technology Application Development
- Leadership and Management Innovation – Accounting
- Leadership and Management Innovation – Digital Marketing Concentration
- Leadership and Management Innovation – Hospitality Management
- Leadership and Management Innovation – Human Resource Management
- Nursing RN-BSN
- Public Safety Management (Crime Scene Investigation)
- Public Safety Management (Criminal Justice)
- Public Safety Management (Emergency Management)
- Secondary Mathematics Education
- Secondary Science Education – Biology
- Supply Chain Management – Procurement Management
- Supply Chain Management – Project Management
- Supply Chain Management – Supply Chain Analytics
10. Salish Kootenai College
Salish Kootenai College has a unique mission among Montana’s few higher education institutions – providing education tailored to the indigenous population. With their many bachelor’s degrees, particularly in Tribal Governance and Tribal Historic Preservation, SKC gives students more than credentials – it gives them community.
- Business Administration
- Early Childhood Education
- Early Childhood Education P:3
- Elementary Education
- Forestry- Forest Management
- Forestry- Wildland Fire Management
- Hydrology
- Information Technology
- Life Sciences
- Nursing RN-BSN
- Psychology
- Secondary Education – Mathematics
- Secondary Education – Science
- Social Work
- Tribal Governance and Administration
- Tribal Historic Preservation
- Wildlife and Fisheries
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