Graduate School Access: Where Are The Prep Providers?
Graduate education is often overlooked in public debates, yet it fuels the professions that communities depend on most. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, therapists, and social workers all emerge from these programs, sustaining the systems that keep society healthy, educated, and functioning.
Graduate Education: Where Is The Data?
Graduate students hold roughly half of all federal student-loan debt, and evidence suggests that even with higher earnings, many face long-term loan debt that offsets the premiums associated with graduate degrees.
We can’t let the new US graduate borrowing caps hit social mobility
Universities, states and lenders all need to step up when limits on lending from federal sources are implemented in July, says Josh Farris.
4 Things to Consider Before Applying to a Doctorate
Obtaining a PhD is a significant financial and time investment, starting with the costs associated with applying to PhD programs. A typical PhD application costs $100, and students reported applying to an average of six graduate schools, according to a 2023 scientific publication on graduate school admissions.
States Should Step Up on Graduate School Aid
States can offer targeted grants and zero- or low-interest loans to keep grad school pathways open after the end of Grad PLUS.
2025: The Year Federal Power Redefined Higher Education
2025 may be remembered as a turning point in American higher education, not because of any one policy shift, but because of a broader federal campaign to rein in the autonomy of colleges and universities, including the nation's most elite institutions.
The Forgotten Story Of College Costs & Student Aid
Graduate degrees, in particular, have more than tripled in price since 2000, far outpacing the cost of housing, food, or healthcare.
When Public Service Loan Forgiveness Falters, We All Pay The Price
Under the Department of Education’s proposed rule, borrowers could be disqualified if their employer is deemed to have a "substantial illegal purpose."
HBCUs Are Doing The Work—Without The Wallet
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are producing a disproportionate share of America’s Black doctors, judges, and engineers—yet they remain chronically underfunded and politically undervalued.
The Other 96%: Talent Beyond Elite Ivies
Elite institutions dominate headlines, policy debates, rankings, and even pop culture. But here’s the reality: less than 5% of U.S. college students attend Ivy League or similarly elite private universities.
Ph.D. Candidates Are Not Overqualified, They Are Underrated
Historically, Ph.D.s were seen as a pipeline to the professoriate. But that narrative is changing. Nearly half (48%) of all Ph.D. recipients now pursue careers in industry, while just 33% remain in academia.
The “Big Beautiful Bill” Could Quietly Undermine Higher Ed Access
The Big Beautiful Bill carries serious risks for talent development—cutting financial aid and limiting loan access just as companies struggle to recruit skilled, diverse professionals.
The Meritocracy Myth: How MBA Admissions Reward Privilege, Not Potential
MBA programs claim to reward drive, discipline, and merit. But in practice, they often reward access—disguising privilege as potential.
AI Is Reshaping The Workforce—But Higher Ed Isn’t Preparing Students For It
What once felt like science fiction is now everyday reality: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics are rapidly transforming our world.
No Pipeline, No Progress: Meeting The Demand For Advanced Degrees
As demand for master’s and doctoral degrees surges, too few programs exist to support the students most often excluded—despite their potential.
Graduate School—Who Should Foot The Bill?
Graduate students hold nearly half of all federal student loan debt—but receive the least attention in education policy. It’s time for a shared solution.
Affirmative Action Was Just The Start—Now Racial Progress Is Reversing
The end of affirmative action marked a turning point—but the deeper erosion of racial equity in higher education is just beginning.