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Opening Session: The Value of Higher Education—And How to Further Strengthen It

This session examined the most recent research on the economic returns to a variety of pathways through college—including differences between programs, degree types, and transfer choices—and discussed ongoing work to strengthen high-return pathways for students.

1A: Strengthening Short-Term Credential Pathways

This session focused on evidence on the economic returns to short- and long-term certificates, how certificate programs can be more strongly connected to labor market opportunities, and implications for public policy.

1B: Strengthening Transfer Pathways

Panelists discussed how colleges can improve successful transfer between the two- and four-year sectors, and in particular how they can create transfer pathways that meet labor market opportunities and needs.

1C: Labor Market Outcomes for Postsecondary Credentials and Pathways—Session I

CAPSEE researchers presented findings from several states on labor market outcomes for various postsecondary pathways and programs of study. Presenters also discussed methodological and data-gathering challenges to consider when pursuing this line of research.

1D: Labor Market Outcomes for Postsecondary Credentials and Pathways—Session II

CAPSEE researchers presented findings from several states on labor market outcomes for various postsecondary pathways and programs of study. Presenters also discussed methodological and data-gathering challenges to consider when pursuing this line of research.

Plenary Session: College Accountability for Labor Market Outcomes

Speakers addressed issues pertaining to performance funding systems that use, or plan to use, labor market outcomes as a measure of performance.

2A: Helping Students Make Program and Career Choices

In this session, panelists discussed programs and systems that use labor market outcome data to help students make better choices regarding the programs and careers they pursue.

2B: Performance Funding

Panelists discussed how accountability systems that take into account labor market outcomes might work to improve college performance, and how policy might be crafted to avoid obstacles and unintended consequences.

2C: Technical Challenges in Calculating Labor Market Returns for Accountability Purposes

In this session, panelists discussed practical and methodological issues that complicate efforts to calculate labor market outcomes for various postsecondary credentials.

2D: For-Profit Institutions

Panelists discussed findings on labor market outcomes for credentials awarded by for-profit colleges and the implications for policy and practice.

Plenary Session: Affordability: Balancing College, Employment, and Finances

This session examined whether students can afford to make a short-term investment in a college education in order to obtain a long-term labor market payoff. How do students currently attempt to balance these considerations, and how do their choices impact their college completion and labor market earnings? What role can policy play in making it easier for students to afford college?

3A: Balancing School and Work Through Online Learning

This session explored online education as an approach used by college students to reduce costs and increase flexibility. Panelists presented research on the impacts of this choice on college success and future earnings and discussed its implications in terms of practice and policy.

3B: Student Aid and Student Debt at Community Colleges

Panelists presented research on the relationship between financial aid and student outcomes at community colleges, and discussed implications for policy and practice.

3C: Working While Enrolled

Panelists discussed how student employment impacts enrollment, performance, and labor market outcomes and presented research on the effects of the Federal Work-Study Program.

3D: Labor Market Data Access and Linking

This session addressed the following questions: What important research questions can we currently not address due to problems with labor market data access and linking, and what barriers stand in the way of getting and using these data effectively? What are examples of institutions that have successfully navigated these barriers, and how are they using the data they have obtained?

Plenary Session: The Nexus of Research and Policy

In this session, panelists discussed barriers to conducting research on postsecondary labor market outcomes in ways that can inform policymaking, including how research findings can be translated into effective policy.