Higher education in the United States is at a crossroads. The cost of college, the burden of student debt, and uncertainty about the value of degrees have contributed to declining enrollment and waning public confidence. Recognizing these pressing challenges, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Task Force on Higher Education released last October of 2024 a groundbreaking bipartisan report outlining a strategic, state-led approach to enhancing the value of college degrees.
This report serves as a call to action for state legislators, federal policymakers, and higher education leaders, emphasizing affordability, student success, and alignment with workforce demands. Below, we summarize the key insights and recommendations from this comprehensive study.
Understanding the Crisis in Higher Education
While higher education remains a pathway to economic opportunity, it is increasingly under scrutiny. According to recent polls, a growing percentage of Americans believe that college is not worth the cost. This skepticism is driven by several factors:
Rising student debt: The total student loan debt in the U.S. has surpassed $1.7 trillion, with many borrowers struggling to repay.
Declining enrollment: Undergraduate enrollment has dropped significantly, especially in community colleges, exacerbated by demographic shifts.
Mismatches between education and workforce needs: Many degree programs do not adequately prepare students for in-demand careers, leaving graduates underemployed.
Completion challenges: Millions of students start but never finish college, often accumulating debt without earning a credential that boosts their earning potential.
A State-Led Strategy to Enhance the Value of Degrees
The NCSL Task Force emphasizes that states must take the lead in restoring confidence in higher education. While federal policies play a role, states remain the primary stewards of public higher education systems. The report outlines three critical areas of focus:
1. Ensuring Degrees Lead to Desirable Career and Life Outcomes
For a degree to be valuable, it must provide clear economic and social benefits to students. The task force recommends the following actions:
For Institutions:
Evaluate degree programs using student outcome data, ensuring alignment with labor market needs.
Develop stronger partnerships with employers to create career-relevant coursework and internships.
Improve academic advising so students make informed decisions about majors and career paths.
For States:
Build longitudinal data systems that track student success from education to employment.
Require state higher education boards to assess and improve underperforming programs.
Create early career-planning tools for high school and adult learners to guide their educational choices.
For the Federal Government:
Expand data collection on student outcomes, particularly for recipients of federal student aid.
Provide resources to states to develop better education-to-career pipelines.
Increase work-based learning opportunities through federal programs like Work-Study.
2. Improving College Completion Rates and On-Time Graduation
One of the biggest barriers to realizing the value of higher education is failure to complete a degree. The task force highlights key actions to address this issue:
For Institutions:
Simplify degree pathways and remove unnecessary barriers to timely completion.
Establish clear transfer agreements to prevent credit loss when students move between institutions.
Recognize prior learning and work experience to accelerate degree completion.
For States:
Implement policies that ensure credits are easily transferable across institutions.
Support re-engagement programs for students who left college without completing their degree.
Address basic student needs such as food, housing, and childcare to reduce non-academic barriers to completion.
For the Federal Government:
Increase funding for student success initiatives, including the Postsecondary Student Success Grant program.
Update federal student aid policies to support non-traditional and part-time students.
Require colleges to provide clearer information about transfer credit policies.
3. Ensuring College Costs Are Transparent and Affordable
College affordability remains a top concern. While financial aid has helped offset costs, many students still struggle to pay tuition and other expenses. The task force suggests:
For Institutions:
Provide clear, upfront pricing information to help students understand the true cost of attendance.
Prioritize affordability initiatives for low- and middle-income students.
Explore alternative models to reduce costs, such as competency-based education and online learning.
For States:
Develop long-term higher education funding strategies that ensure sustainability.
Expand dual enrollment and early college programs to reduce time and cost for students.
Increase transparency in university budgets to identify cost-saving opportunities.
For the Federal Government:
Maintain and strengthen the Pell Grant program to support low-income students.
Require standardized financial aid award letters to improve transparency.
Develop a universal net price calculator for college affordability comparisons.
A Call for Bipartisan Action and Collaboration
A key theme of the report is the need for bipartisan cooperation at all levels of government. The task force urges Congress to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, which has not been updated since 2008. Policymakers must work together to implement reforms that enhance student outcomes, reduce debt burdens, and restore public trust in higher education.
By focusing on transparency, affordability, and workforce alignment, the NCSL Task Force provides a roadmap for ensuring that higher education remains a reliable engine of opportunity. Now, it is up to legislators, college leaders, and federal agencies to turn these recommendations into action.
For those invested in the future of higher education, this report is an essential guide for shaping policies that ensure every student can earn a degree that truly delivers value.
