For every $1 earned by college graduates, those who drop out earn 67 cents. For decades, this degree premium has been the best advertisement for higher education. We know college is worth it, but at what cost to individuals and society?

The question is not an easy one to answer because of the increasingly complex ways students and families are financing their education. Just as colleges Continue Reading »

“More and more students seem to be less prepared for college,” says one Illinois college chancellor. Chicago Tribune reporters Diane Rado, Jodi S. Cohen, and Joe Germuska analyzed new data and have tracked how well graduates from each high school do when they enter the state’s colleges and universities. (Chicago Tribune)

Big education news from South Dakota. State lawmaContinue Reading »

Education Sector released a super-sized Charts You Can Trust today looking at the past 15 years of financial aid, and the constant growth in student borrowing. Below is Chart 1 from the report, and the trend line is pretty clear. From 1992–93 through the latest NPSAS in 2007–08, the percent of students borrowing has increased nearly every year for every type of institution. In 2007&Continue Reading »