With open education programs such as those being implemented at Harvard and MIT, the world’s finest educators can reach those students unable to afford tuition. The relevant skills can be learned freely online, without traditional college enrollment.
Affordable certifications, legitimized by the US government and accepted for employment in lieu of bachelor's degrees, would both democratize higher education and prevent a further upswell in the amount of U.S. student debt, now approximately $1 trillion. The validity of these certifications, underwritten by the U.S. Government, would foster acceptance by the private sector.
As a start, sciences, foreign languages, and mathematics could be easily translated into a testable format at little cost, but great benefit to the American people.