As the cost of a college education has increased across the country, federal agencies have taken steps to enact protections for students to ensure that completing a postsecondary career program translates into real earnings and employment. However, the strength of these regulations can vary by administration, and is under more threat because of recent judicial actions.
In July 2022, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to enact a law to hold career education programs and institutions accountable for their results, creating a performance quality standard that ties tuition and fees to the earnings of New Jersey workers in specific occupations.
Our new case study features conversations with key New Jersey state officials to glean more insight into the regulations, potential opportunities for improvement, and guidance for other states to implement protections for students seeking a college credential.