I often wonder this myself. Maybe it is just that difficult a problem. Or maybe it's because Big Pharma doesn't have strong motivation when the treatment is more lucrative than a cure (Tamoxifen treatment can continue for up to 10 years after radiation and chemo for breast cancer, Diabetes treatment life-long, etc.). Maybe it's some of both.
In my area, the community and state college have a program that allows students to transfer directly into a four year degree after completing core classes at the community college. All credits transfer so long as they’re part of the program.
For us, it was roughly half the tuition cost and student lived at home the first couple years. Worked well for us.