When a municipality or state tries to win public support for a company it aims to draw into its area, it typically publicizes the number of jobs and economic benefits that the move would bring. And, typically, it also includes asking the public to cover some of the enticements to attract the company like tax breaks or required infrastructure.

But what about public institutions already in the community? What about the economic benefits of community colleges? A new report offers insight on the return of those public investments.

Three California community colleges are fighting to start new baccalaureate programs, which their leaders insist would fill critical local workforce needs and help students who couldn’t otherwise afford to pursue a four-year degree. 

But their plans have faced repeated roadblocks from the California State University system. Cal State faculty members argue these programs, and future programs like them, shouldn’t proceed without their go-ahead.

A federal watchdog is calling for Congress to establish tighter regulations on how colleges and universities describe their financial aid packages. 

The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report Monday stating that the financial aid offers colleges give families often lack crucial information and can lead students to enroll in schools they can’t afford.