Policy & Research

2012 Tuition and Fees Report

February 2013

New England public postsecondary tuition and fees are traditionally higher than national averages. This report outlines trends in published tuition and fee rates at public two- and four-year institutions over the past five years and demonstrates the growth in published tuition and fee rates relative to median household income. With 2011 median household income in the region still below 2008 pre-recession levels, many students are spending a greater share of their household income on listed tuition and mandatory fee rates than in previous years.

Student Grant Aid in New England

December 2012

State student grant aid programs vary across the New England States. With current state economic climates and high tuition and fees, the six states have redesigned or eliminated state grant aid programs to fit state budget constraints, increasing student demand, and state college completion goals. Between FY11 and FY12, New England students have seen state grant programs in the region decline by 6%, or almost $12 million. This Policy Snapshot highlights these and other changes to state student grant aid programs in New England.

Assessing and Increasing College Readiness in New England

September 2012

Students' college readiness levels have always been an important topic of conversation in higher education. The upcoming implementation of the Common Core State Standards and assessments as well as economic shifts towards higher-skilled occupations have re-focused attention on developmental education and practices to boost students' college readiness. This Policy Snapshot provides a glimpse of the strategies currently employed across New England to increase college readiness levels. Placement policies used to determine students' college-readiness levels are also summarized across the region and state-by-state. Across the region, institutions use different exams to determine students' college readiness levels. Even when the same exam is used, the minimum score required for college-level work differs by institution and/or state.

2011 Tuition & Fees Report

September 2011

Changes in tuition and fees at American public higher education institutions are of increasing interest to families, policymakers, and state higher education leaders. At New England public colleges and universities, tuition and fees are traditionally higher than national averages. This report outlines trends in published tuition and fee rates at public two- and four-year institutions over the past five years and demonstrates the growth in published tuition and fee rates relative to family income. For state-level data used in this analysis, please click here

Catalyst for Completion: Performance-Based Funding in Higher Education

Written by: Matthew Crellin, Darrell Aaron, David Mabe, Courtney Wilk

Edited by: John O. Harney

A shift to "performance-based funding" in higher education is an increasingly common topic in light of goals to increase college completion rates and productivity. Performance-based funding models tie funding to outcomes and provide incentives for colleges to graduate students, not just enroll them. Yet, performance-based funding models raise important questions for legislators, system heads and college leaders: How do they spur productivity?  How sustainable are such models?  Who wins and loses in performance-based systems? This policy brief examines the state models of Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee and their implications for educators and decision-makers in the New England states.

To view an interactive recording of the March 25, 2011 NEBHE webinar discussion on performance-based funding, go to: http://connectpro19778789.adobeconnect.com/p94993594/

Special Policy Report: Post-Election Coverage of New England's Fall 2010 Midterm Results

Written by: Carolyn Morwick

Edited by: John O. Harney, Matthew Crellin

A post-election coverage special on the results of the midterm Fall 2010 elections in New England, including highlights from the election results with an eye to major potential changes to higher education, state appropriations, and other topics of relevance to education in the region.

Special Policy Report: New England Election Update, Fall 2010

Written by: Carolyn Morwick

Edited by: John O. Harney, Matthew Crellin

Analysis and updates on New England's political races in Fall 2010, with focus on congressional committees and potential changes for each of the six states alongside frontrunner forecasts and polls that capture the region's political races prior to November.