Factors that affect the attainment of the baccalaureate degree by urban students are addressed. Attention is directed to: characteristics and aspirations of urban students attending public institutions in urban areas, problems and roles of urban community colleges and universities, performance of urban students, transfer from two- to four-year institutions, and ways to promote persistence to the baccalaureate degree. More poor people, more minorities, and more immigrants live in cities where the college-age population is still less than half as likely to enroll in college as their suburban counterparts. The problems of urban colleges include funding, student poverty, high attrition, school system failures, and confused missions. While urban community colleges and universities recognize the importance of the transfer student, problems in articulation remain. In assessing outcomes, consideration is given to the attainment of associate degrees, percentages of students who transfer, and the performance of transfer students. Progress in solving 10 problem areas affecting articulation is described, and policies to enhance transfer of community college students are recommended (e.g., university scholarships, joint faculty events, and counseling exchanges). (SW)