Republican leaders in the Iowa House are considering a proposal that would allow community colleges to grant four-year degrees, though House Speaker Pat Grassley says any plan would be narrowly focused.
Grassley says the proposal would aim to help residents in higher education deserts gain access to four-year degree programs in targeted fields. House Majority Leader Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, says potential focus areas include parts of southeast and western Iowa.
An analysis released in October by the Community Colleges of Iowa estimates the state’s 15 community colleges would need $20 million over the next five years to hire faculty, prepare facilities and develop coursework for four-year programs.
Community colleges in 24 states currently offer four-year degrees. Missouri is the only neighboring state where some community colleges have implemented such programs. In Illinois, the governor has proposed legislation that would allow some community colleges to offer four-year degrees.
