Higher education: where do we stand?

With classes resuming for the fall term, SSTI thought now would be a good time to reflect on the state of higher education. In this issue and the September 5 issue, we’ll examine where higher ed has been and where it currently stands. The post-secondary education system is the cornerstone of the American innovation system—as R&D performer, moving research into the marketplace, offering technical assistance to companies, and supplying a skilled workforce. The challenges are significant—eroding public support for universities, cuts to state funding during each economic downturn that takes years to recover, and burgeoning tuition and student debt.

In today’s issue, we consider the growth in educational attainment since 1990. While those stats are encouraging, when compared to how we stand internationally, it’s clear we have significant work to do to compete with other OECD countries.

Then, we turn to trends over time with degrees that are being earned in five broad categories and at more detail in STEM fields. At the same time, we look at the move in recent years among corporations and states to remove degree requirements to open employment opportunities to more people.

Finally, we conclude this week’s special reporting on higher ed with an examination of the state of two-year colleges, a resource frequently overlooked in national policy discussions but highly valued at the state and local levels.

This article was prepared by SSTI using Federal funds under award ED22HDQ3070129 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.