American higher education faces a credibility crisis: Fewer than half of Americans believe colleges are headed in the right direction. Stories of unemployed graduates saddled with crushing debt fuel skepticism about whether college is worth the investment.
Some blame a rise in college costs. Others say institutions no longer demonstrate the same economic benefits they once did. College leaders may claim the criticism is misguided.
Either way, one thing is clear: Higher education needs reinvention to once again be viewed as a guaranteed path to economic prosperity. And policymakers, colleges and administrators must embrace this change.