Policymakers are merging or aligning agencies to tie academic programs more directly to labor demand, reshaping how colleges operate.

Dual credit is often viewed as early exposure to college. Its real value is building momentum toward a certificate, degree or successful transfer.

With new international enrollments slipping and policy risk rising, institutions are expanding into fast-growing markets to stabilize the pipeline.

The biggest payoffs for students seeking bachelor’s degrees occurred in engineering and architecture; business and economics; and security and protective services degrees.