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Independent, objective, nonpartisan research
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PPIC Higher Education Center

The PPIC Higher Education Center advances practical solutions that enhance educational opportunities for California's students—improving lives and expanding economic growth across the state.

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Explainer · April 2026

Is College Worth It?

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Report · March 2026

Has Universal Access to Transfer-Level Courses Changed Student Outcomes at California Community Colleges?

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Report · October 2025

Improving Transfer from Community College to the California State University

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Blog Posts

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June 24, 2026

What Do International Students Contribute to California’s Public Universities?

Valerie Lundy-Wagner, Eric Assan

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May 26, 2026

Big California Dreams for College, Uneven Paths to a Degree

Deja Thomas, Valerie Lundy-Wagner, Olga Rodriguez

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May 19, 2026

What California’s Next Governor Needs to Know about Higher Education

Valerie Lundy-Wagner, Olga Rodriguez

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April 30, 2026

Community College Reforms Have Improved Student Success in Math

Mary Severance

Fact Sheets

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June 2026

Higher Education Funding in California

Kevin Cook, Valerie Lundy-Wagner

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April 2026

College Access in California

Iwunze Ugo, Eric Assan

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April 2026

College Readiness in California

Iwunze Ugo, Eric Assan

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March 2026

College Completion in California

Valerie Lundy-Wagner, Charlie Wigul, Selina Gomez

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February 2026

California’s Higher Education System

Kevin Cook, Charlie Wigul

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November 2025

College Affordability in California

Rachel Yang Zhou, Selina Gomez

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September 2025

Dual Enrollment in California

Rachel Yang Zhou, Olga Rodriguez, Eric Assan, Daniel Payares-Montoya

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Featured Blog Post · April 29, 2026

How Has the Price of College Changed?

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Key Areas

Fact Cards

Roughly two-thirds of CSU and UC students graduate debt free.
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~3 in 10 Share of California 9th graders who go on to earn a bachelor’s degree.
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Half of California freshmen graduate with a bachelor’s degree within four years.
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Over 90% of community college students who apply to the CSU are admitted for transfer.
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Californians with a bachelor’s degree make 61% more than those with just a high school diploma.
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The number of low-income students enrolling in college rose due to California’s universal financial aid policy.
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83% of California college students attend a public institution, with nearly half enrolled in the community college system.
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