Measuring Postsecondary Value: Lessons from the Value Data Collaborative

Session Abstract: The Value Data Collaborative (VDC) seeks to equip colleges, institutional systems, and state agencies with the tools to better understand—and strengthen—the value of higher education for all students. VDC participants use administrative data to make informed assessments about the economic value of postsecondary education, grounded in their students’ unique experiences, institutional and regional contexts, and the specific challenges they face. This session will feature short presentations from recent VDC participants, describing research insights and implications for policy and practice. These presentations will be followed by a panel discussion and audience questions.

This session will provide insights for others looking to measure economic value at their institutions, highlight findings and insights, and explore future opportunities for data and research to shape a more valuable higher education landscape for all students.

Keywords: Postsecondary Value, Return on Investment, Administrative Data