Americans are losing confidence in the affordability and quality of higher education. In a recent poll, a clear majority of Americans said they thought the quality of the nation’s system of higher education had stagnated or declined, and almost three-quarters thought that higher education was not affordable for everyone who needs it. At the same time, a postsecondary credential is viewed nearly universally as important.
The erosion of public confidence in American higher education has forced colleges and universities to confront important questions: Are too many young people going to college? Are students learning the skills they need to succeed in the workplace and beyond? Can a high-quality education be delivered more efficiently using digital technologies? And, loudest of all, why does college cost so much?
On March 17, the Brown Center on Education Policy hosted a conversation with Purdue University President Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. on the challenges facing American higher education. Daniels drew on his experience as Indiana Governor, OMB Director, corporate executive, and think-tank leader in providing his perspective on how to reform higher education for the better.