California expands community college bachelor’s degree programs under new laws signed by Newsom: Authorities confirm

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two pieces of legislation on September 18, 2026, that dramatically expand the ability of the state’s community colleges to award bachelor’s degrees. The laws represent one of the most significant shifts in California’s higher education landscape in years, opening new local pathways to four-year credentials for students who cannot or do not wish to relocate to attend a University of California or California State University campus.

Under the previous framework, community colleges were largely confined to two-year degrees and certificates, and statewide approvals for baccalaureate programs were capped at 30 per academic year. The new laws scrap that statewide ceiling in favor of a district-level system tied directly to student performance. Beginning in 2028, each district will be assigned to one of five tiers based on how many of its students complete a certificate, earn a degree, or transfer to a four-year institution within three years. Districts in the highest tier may offer as many as 10 baccalaureate programs, with large or multi-campus districts potentially qualifying for 11 or 12, while those in the lowest tier are limited to two. Every proposed program must also demonstrate a documented workforce need among local employers before it can receive approval. The laws further redefine when a community college may offer a program that overlaps with CSU offerings: if a CSU program has accepted fewer than 75 percent of eligible transfer applicants from that district for three consecutive years, the college may proceed. Objections from the UC system carry more weight — when UC opposes a proposed program, the community college and UC must reach a written agreement before approval can move forward. Fully online baccalaureate programs are also prohibited if UC or CSU already offers a substantially similar one. Notably, CSU shifted its stance to neutral after final versions of the bills were published, according to EdSource. Newsom separately vetoed a bill that would have piloted nursing bachelor’s degrees at 10 community college districts, arguing the legislation he signed rendered that measure redundant.

California’s community college system formally opposed the final versions of the bills, with leaders warning that the tier structure could penalize districts enrolling large numbers of low-income students — populations that may face greater obstacles to completing degrees or transferring within the three-year window used to calculate tier placement, even as those same students stand to benefit most from local four-year options.

Supporters of the new framework argue it will most directly benefit students in rural regions and others who are place-bound and cannot easily move closer to a UC or CSU campus. Proponents say that adding approved bachelor’s programs at nearby community colleges could lower housing and transportation costs while helping local economies retain skilled graduates. The rules apply to programs approved on or after January 1, 2028, giving districts time to assess their tier standing, identify workforce-aligned degree opportunities, and submit applications. The state will make public the data used to determine tier assignments, establishing a new accountability structure as California attempts to broaden access to four-year education.