Sacramento community college professors teaching dozens of online classes earn high salaries

CalMatters reported that some part-time professors at California community colleges, including in Sacramento, are teaching dozens of online classes at once and earning $400,000 or more annually. This practice has grown as online courses have expanded, with professors repackaging similar courses to reach hundreds of students simultaneously.

One example is a professor who holds two full-time positions and multiple part-time roles at institutions including Cal State Sacramento and UC Berkeley. This fall, she is teaching 30 classes to about 1,100 students and earned nearly $800,000 in 2024, according to public payroll records.

Sarah Thompson, president of the California Community College Faculty Association, told CalMatters that it is nearly impossible for professors to adequately support and assess students when teaching so many classes. She said no one has enough time in a week to teach 30 classes well.

Chris Ferguson, executive vice chancellor overseeing California community colleges, responded that holding multiple teaching positions alone does not prove poor teaching quality. He stated that if a professor’s workload prevents proper student interaction and support, the responsibility falls on the local district rather than the state system.

The situation raises questions about the balance between high earnings and the quality of education and student support in Sacramento-area community colleges as online education continues to grow.