Activating Talent: Is Higher Ed Failing Individuals & the Economy?

By Scott Pulsipher, Forbes Contributor

Research shows our education system is delivering better outcomes, on average, for those who earn a credential, with college degree holders earning on average 84% more per year than those without. While statistics like these are encouraging, they regrettably do not tell the entire story.

Data on postsecondary outcomes show our most vulnerable students are disproportionately likely to leave college with considerable debt, and post-college earnings for low-income students are generally lower than those of their wealthier peers. All in all, a smaller portion of today’s graduates are experiencing the economic and social mobility enjoyed by previous generations. In fact, 650 institutions do not provide their students with a minimum economic return after accounting for the cost of attendance, according to the Postsecondary Value Commission.