A bill that would have allowed five Iowa community colleges to offer a limited number of four-year degrees has stalled in the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh of Spillville says there was no consensus among Senate Republicans on expanding community college programs.
A study released last fall indicated the state would need to spend $20 million over five years to establish bachelor’s degree programs at Iowa’s 15 community colleges.
The House passed a bill earlier this month that would have limited four-year degree programs to campuses in Burlington, Creston, Council Bluffs, Estherville and Fort Dodge.
Klimesh says it was unclear how much that pilot program would cost, adding Senate Republicans want community colleges to remain focused on helping high school students earn college credit and providing training for high-demand careers.
