Colleagues,
Public confidence in higher education is at a crossroads, with recent challenges at the federal level like a clunky FAFSA rollout, and conflict and tension at some elite institutions due to campus protests, capturing headlines and shaping American perceptions. However, we know these issues don’t reflect the broader landscape of postsecondary education. The narrative is more complex than it seems, and acknowledging the positive changes taking place across the higher education system is the way forward.
Across the country, many colleges and universities have been quietly but diligently working to enhance the value they provide to students. This marks the second straight year of improved persistence and retention rates for first-year students, where both rates are higher than any other point in the last decade, which is particularly impressive when you consider the widespread impact of Covid. At the foundation and through our investments in the Frontier Set, Postsecondary Value Commission, Intermediaries for Scale, and National Scale Enterprise Institutions, we’ve had a front-row seat working with institutions that have thoughtfully redesigned themselves to be more student-centered and partnering with other funders and organizations that are committed to advancing the equitable postsecondary value movement.
These efforts are paying off, and they are getting the recognition they deserve in some college rankings that rightly prioritize social and economic mobility over selectivity and prestige. This week, the Washington Monthly released their annual college rankings, which I’ve come to trust over the years as a thoughtfully designed and distinctively different list than some of their competitors. They know that the national fixation on a handful of elite institutions is damaging, as it overlooks the unassuming colleges and universities that get the majority of the nation’s students to and through higher ed. After reading through their latest edition, a few reflections come to mind:
- Washington Monthly’s methodology is based on an alternative set of benchmarks that measure what colleges do for their country and evaluate them on their commitment to three goals: social mobility, research, and public service. They also give credit to colleges that do a good job enrolling students from low-income backgrounds and getting them across the finish line with minimal debt.
- Good news: Colleges with “state” in their name are the backbone of the American higher education system, as new research shows regional universities deliver the greatest return on tax dollars. Bad news: Regional universities are historically underfunded. This disconnect comes through loud and clear in reviewing how institutions are delivering for their communities despite financial headwinds.
- Sometimes winning big requires risking big. A great example of this is Dr. José Luis Cruz Rivera’s approach to leadership in his role as President of Northern Arizona University, which gets a spotlight in this issue. In working to redefine what “better” means in higher education, Cruz Rivera has done the opposite of what selective college rankings value, by making NAU less selective, more affordable, and by pouring funds into programs that meet local needs. And as a result, NAU has become an emerging postsecondary leader.
Increasing equitable value in higher education is a big job that requires collective action and a chorus of champions. I’m proud of the work we’ve supported at the foundation in service of this goal, am heartened to see good postsecondary actors receive public recognition of their commitment to student success and encourage you all to celebrate and promote the good stories whenever possible.
Regards,
Patrick Methvin
Quick takes
What Do High School Students Think About College?
The majority of high school students aren’t registered to vote and therefore typically aren’t included in national polling, so historically much around their perceptions of higher education have been left out of the conversation. In Third Way’s latest round of public opinion research, they profiled 1000+ high school students nationwide to gain some insight into the next college-going generation. A few interesting findings:
- 82% of students surveyed believe a four-year degree is “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to lead to a financially secure life, followed by a two-year degree (69%).
- 72% of cost-dominant and cost-pressured students agree the rising student loan debt has made them worry college is not worth it.
We know public confidence in higher education is at an all-time low, but how and why American sentiments have shifted over the last decade is much more nuanced than a singular statement about perception could capture. New America’s eighth annual survey showcases just how varied perceptions of complex issues related to college value, funding, and accountability are. And that two things can be true at the same time: trust and confidence have diminished AND most Americans still see the value of gaining a postsecondary credential. Across the aisle, Americans agree an associate degree (68%) and four-year degree (76%) is worth it even if someone needs loans to attend.
What we’re reading
Community Colleges Drive Rebound in Higher Ed Enrollment
From Marketplace, college enrollment declines from Covid are finally bouncing back, and community colleges are leading the way.
Hybrid Courses in High School
From The Job, Arizona State University partners with high schools across the country to earn college credits and Texas’ new community college funding formula HB8 is one to watch.
Cal State System Pilots GPA Reset Program to Re-Enroll Stop-Outs
From Inside Higher Ed, fourteen colleges in the Cal State University system will connect with learners that have some credit but no degree to help them get re-enrolled and complete.