Senators Call for Transparency in Higher Education

Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio, Democrat Virginia Senator Mark Warner and Oregon Democrat Senator Ron Wyden have showcased the “Student Right to Know Before You Go Act,” which aims to offer more transparency concerning the costs of higher education.

The proposal ensures potential college students are given the accurate information about colleges and universities concerning graduation rates, costs and debts that are associated with attending the school and any expected salaries of graduates. The proposal will also ensure privacy protection measures for colleges and universities that share the data.

The proposal is also meant as a response to the Senators’ argument that current information provided to prospective students undergoing the admissions process only focuses on part of the data, which includes focusing on full-time first-time freshmen instead of non-traditional students.

Speaking on his continued support for the proposal, Rubio explained that “investing in a college education is one of the most important decisions that students and families can make.” Because of that, “before students take out thousands of dollars in loans, students should have information about how much money they should expect to borrow and their future earning potential for the schools and areas of study they are planning to pursue.” In turn, the proposal “gives American families the opportunity to make more informed and cost-effective higher education decisions and provides the peace of mind that this information is secure and protected.”

Wyden also weighed in, saying that “students deserve the opportunity to make the best possible choices for themselves.” And, “with the massive costs of higher education, we must equip students with the information they need as they decide where and what to study.” So, the proposal is meant “to put the power back in the hands of students and their families as they make important investments in their futures.”