Urban universities have long faced a critical challenge to help K-12 schools, students, and families effectively access a college education. While colleges and universities have embraced strategies such as charter and partner schools, these interventions do not always result in a robust pipeline of students entering the higher education system. For higher education leaders, addressing the needs of students and their families to attain an affordable college degree is an important part of education and community development in the communities near campus. Early college programs, particularly those with a focus on equity and student support, can provide high school students with an exemplary preparation for college, as well as college credits that can be used to reduce time to degree and college costs. In three case studies of early college programs, students' college credits earned, grades earned while enrolled in the program, and eventual college enrollment and graduation rates are the key metrics. Lessons learned include the importance of leadership and policy support for these programs, as well as designing the program to address equity issues from the beginning.