Over the past decade, higher education administrators, faculty, and students (not to mention taxpayers) have gained more access to information about college outcomes than ever before. Beyond mere acceptance and graduation rates, we can now answer the number one question students and families have before enrolling: “How much do students earn after they pursue a higher education?”
Several states, accreditors, college systems, and institutions are already incorporating post-college employment outcomes as a key measure of success. Texas has increased funding allocations to target community college credentials that demonstrate strong returns and align with high-demand fields. Large systems like the California State University have incorporated employment and mobility outcomes into their newly released three-year strategic plan.
Accrediting agencies—such as the WASC Senior College and University Commission and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges—are adding transparent ROI data to dashboards to ensure that accredited institutions meet sufficient quality standards. And institutions like Colorado Mountain College are actively designing program offerings around regional job openings and labor market outcomes.
Read more at Washington Monthly.
