The NCAA plans to allow college athlete compensation off the use of their names, images and likenesses.

Higher education has a cost transparency problem. But beyond the moral and ethical reasons that institutions should be completely clear about price, there is a practical argument: Colleges have nothing to lose by being transparent, says guest columnist Jason Reinoehl, vice president for strategic enrollment management at the University of Dayton in Ohio.

ISAs protect students from getting financially steamrolled and help institutions to consider and, hopefully, implement the necessary business model changes they will need to thrive, says guest columnist Richard Price, a research fellow for higher education at the Clayton Christensen Institute.

Higher ed institutions are offering more flexible schedules to accommodate the needs of today's college students, who are often working adults. Options include late-start courses, mini-semesters, and block schedules that allow undergrads to enroll in just one course at a time.