Making College Worth It: Inequalities In Higher Education and How to Solve Them

Authors

Katharine Meyer, The Brookings Institution

Document Type

Lecture

Publication Date

4-9-2024

Publisher

Brookings Mountain West

Abstract

Most students who graduate from college go on to earn higher wages, have more employment stability, and enjoy better health. While posted tuitions are high, a “high price, high aid” approach to college pricing means that the average cost of college has actually declined in recent years. Yet, public confidence in higher education is at an all-time low. What explains this tension? Who gains from going to college and who does not? What can colleges do to change perceptions about the value of a college education? This lecture by Brookings Institution scholar Katharine Meyer highlights trends in college enrollment and completion and offers solutions for how states can hold colleges accountable and align student support with the needs of the 21st century learner.

Keywords

Higher education; College; Enrollment; Earnings; Education attainment; Income; Graduation rate

Disciplines

Education Economics | Education Policy | Higher Education | Income Distribution | Public Policy

File Format

pdf

File Size

6.1 MB

Run Time

01:01:51

Streaming Media

Language

English

Repository Citation

Meyer, K. (2024). Making College Worth It: Inequalities In Higher Education and How to Solve Them.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/brookings_lectures_events/160