As part of an effort to expand four-year degree options beyond traditional universities, Highline College recently held a “Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree at Highline College” giving local students a chance to learn about affordable, career-focused bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) pathways. 

The fair offered prospective students and community members insight into degrees such as Business Management, Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics, Early Childhood Education, and Human Services.  

All designed to build on associate’s degrees (A.A. or A.S.) while keeping tuition and commutes more manageable than a four-year university.  For students juggling work, family or other commitments, this opportunity offers flexibility and a practical route to advancing their careers without sacrificing accessibility.

A lot of students choose two-year colleges for a myriad of reasons: location, everyday commute, community, cost, etc. With Highline now offering four-year degree programs it opens up a world of possibilities for students.

Gabrielle Bachmeirer, a university staff member holding down one of the table booths stated she thinks it’s a “wonderful opportunity for our students to be able to start their associate’s degree and continue on and complete a four-year degree without having to go anywhere else…so it’s a seamless transition from your A.A.S to B.A.S degree. Its local, much more affordable, many of the same instructors so there’s the familiarity, small classrooms. I think it’s a great local affordable option.”

As organizers highlighted the value of a smooth, affordable path to a bachelor’s degree, students echoed the same priorities in their own experiences. One student who wants to pursue a career in nursing said she was interested and motivated by “the fact that it’s less costly, of course. I live around so I’m taking advantage of that…I don’t have to invest in housing, and to just do my own thing.” 

While there can be a lot of excitement and curiosity with this offer, there are also some misconceptions. Students are unsure about how to get it or what it is, or think they have to transfer out to another university when in reality at Highline that’s not the case. 

Highline has a two-plus-two plan. You basically spend two years working towards your A.A. and then the next two years towards your bachelor’s degree.

Fair organizer Teiya Shimomura advised students, “Attending events like this and reaching out to faculty members or your advisors is a big one. The Career and Transfer Services is really big too, so just reach out if you’re curious they have all the right information for you.”

Highline has partnered with other schools like Central Washington University and Western Governors University so that Highline students can continue on with their degrees and education without the hassle they are trying to avoid by attending Highline. 

These collaborations open doors to advanced degrees while preserving the convenience, affordability, and familiarity that draw so many students to Highline. For students balancing work, family, and tight schedules, this means they can keep moving forward academically without sacrificing stability.

But behind the scenes, building and sustaining these opportunities isn’t without obstacles. Organizers at the fair shared both the challenges they face and what they hope students walk away understanding.

“We’re new first of all,”  a representative at CWU’s booth said. “We just had our first cohort in fall so we’re trying to get word out to let people know about it. That’s why we’re talking to different colleges – to raise awareness.”

As Highline continues to grow its B.A.S & B.A. offerings, organizers hope fairs like this one will help more students understand the pathways available to them – and feel confident taking the next step. 

With new partnerships, expanding programs, and a commitment to accessibility, the college aims to make four-year degrees not only possible, but practical for students balancing work, family, and community. For many who attended the fair, the message was clear: a bachelor’s degree doesn’t have to mean leaving Highline to chase opportunity. In many cases, the opportunity is already here.