Improving College Access and Success

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute There is much talk about increasing college access and success for students in the United States, especially for those populations who are historically underrepresented in higher education, such as low-income, first generation, and minority students. While access rates have increased over the years, we clearly understand that equity has not been achieved and that … Continue reading Improving College Access and Success

I’ll take US Higher Education for $400, Alex

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute Alex: Well, we have a barn burner today, folks. Scott, you’re still in command of the board and close to clinching, so go ahead and make a selection. Scott: Thanks, Alex, let’s go “US Higher Education for $400,” please. Alex: Well, its today’s Daily Double. [crowd goes crazy] Scott: I’ll wager $2,000, Alex. Alex: … Continue reading I’ll take US Higher Education for $400, Alex

So How Much Does Student Departure Cost Your Institution?

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute In 2013, state and federal governments spent approximately $150 billion on higher education. This includes funding for Pell Grants, state grants, research, and direct subsidies for students. To put this in some perspective, federal funding amounted to $227 per person in the US, and about double that if state funds are included. On the … Continue reading So How Much Does Student Departure Cost Your Institution?

The Continuing Nightmare: Tuition and Fees will Double in Less than 20 Years

by Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute There is always a lot of talk about college costs and future issues in higher education. I’ve written extensively about our inability to recast the higher education system due, in part, to the sheer weight of historical antecedents. That is, the system is burdened by the largess and bureaucratic nature of the system itself. Large systems … Continue reading The Continuing Nightmare: Tuition and Fees will Double in Less than 20 Years

Robert Reich and College Affordability

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute Last week, Robert Reich, the former Secretary of Commerce in the Clinton Administration, send this out on his Facebook account: HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE. This week I start teaching the second semester here at Berkeley. Many of my students and students at other universities are drowning in debt – which is distorting their career … Continue reading Robert Reich and College Affordability