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Postsecondary Education

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From community college courses to doctoral programs, postsecondary education encompasses all forms of schooling after completion of high school or its equivalent. RAND's research on postsecondary education programs and institutions throughout the world has been influential; research in Qatar, for instance, led to reform of the National University and a realignment of postsecondary education to societal needs.

Commentary
If College Isn't the Pathway to the Middle Class It Once Was—What Is?
Is college still the best path to the middle class? It's complicated. College credentials still do lead many to increased earnings, but the rapid increases in college costs, coupled with a strong labor market, have made the payoff for a college degree no longer a sure thing.
Apr 5, 2022
Report
Career Services and College-Employer Partnership Practices in Community Colleges
The number of middle-skill jobs in STEM fields that require credentials but not a four-year college degree is growing. Community colleges play a key role in preparing students to fill these positions. How can states support colleges and their partnerships with employers?
Jul 6, 2022

Explore Postsecondary Education

Journal Article
The Effect of Natural Disasters on Human Capital in the United States
Natural disasters affect a region's human capital as well as its physical capital, reducing both student achievement and educational attainment. These effects are persistent, and when monetized are of a similar magnitude as the property damage.
Jun 13, 2023
Report
Finding Help Outside the Classroom: Approaches for Supporting College Students' Basic Needs
This Perspective builds on the research findings from a related RAND Corporation report on a North Carolina initiative to support college students' basic needs with strategies to improve the uptake and effectiveness of such initiatives nationally.
May 23, 2023
Report
Stackable Credential Pipelines and Equity for Low-Income Individuals: Evidence from Colorado and Ohio
The authors examine whether low-income individuals are stacking credentials and benefiting economically, explore systemic barriers to stackable credential opportunities for low-income individuals, and consider solutions to strengthen these pipelines.
Apr 13, 2023
Research Brief
States Can Take Steps to Address Potential Barriers to Equity in Stackable Credential Pipelines
The authors examine barriers to stacking credentials for low-income individuals -- limited chances for stacking in some fields and institutions, insufficient information, and challenges moving between programs -- and consider solutions from stakeholders.
Apr 13, 2023
Research Brief
Do Low-Income Students Benefit from Stacking Credentials? Descriptive Evidence from Colorado and Ohio
The authors describe findings from a study on how frequently low-income individuals are stacking credentials, whether stacking increases wage-earning opportunities, and which fields provide the best returns from stacking.
Apr 13, 2023
Research Brief
How Community Colleges Can Support Student Mental Health Needs
This report is a descriptive study of eight community colleges at the forefront of implementing multilevel approaches to support student mental health, as well as key facilitators for and barriers to their success.
Apr 5, 2023
Report
Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Community College Students
This report is a descriptive study of eight community colleges at the forefront of implementing multilevel approaches to support student mental health and key facilitators for and barriers to their success.
Apr 5, 2023
Report
Report on the Implementation, Costs, and Impacts of the Findhelp Platform in the North Carolina Community College System
The authors examine how the Findhelp online "social care network," which connects students to services that provide basic needs assistance, was implemented at four community colleges in North Carolina, its costs, and its impacts on student success.
Apr 5, 2023
Report
The Impact of Army JROTC Participation on School and Career Outcomes
To understand the relationship between participating in the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AJROTC) program and longer-term outcomes, the authors analyzed longitudinal student data and Army service member records.
Mar 7, 2023
Journal Article
Community Colleges Can Increase Credential Stacking by Introducing New Programs Within Established Technical Pathways
This study analyzes the introduction of new certificate or associate degree program options at Ohio community colleges during school years 2004–2005 to 2016–2017.
Feb 14, 2023
Journal Article
Biliteracy Seals in a Large Urban District in New Mexico: Who Earns Them and How Do They Impact College Outcomes?
This study examined the college readiness of students who earned different types of seals, the number of students who met some requirements for a seal but did not earn one, and the effect of earning a seal on college outcomes.
Feb 7, 2023
Dissertation
The Impact of a Summer Program on the Development of Historically Underrepresented Minorities in STEM
Studies ways post-secondary institutions can better the diversity in their STEM disciplines by focusing on pre-college preparation and retention of historically underrepresented high school students by considering the case of a summer bridge program.
Jan 12, 2023
Report
Learn Together Surveys: 2022 Technical Documentation and Survey Results
This report provides information about the sample, survey instrument, and resultant data for the 2022 Learn Together Surveys that were administered to K-12 principals and teachers in March 2022 via the RAND Corporation's American Educator Panels.
Nov 3, 2022
Journal Article
Review of EPSRC-funded Doctoral Education: A Review of the Literature
This report presents the findings from a literature review on doctoral education in engineering and physical sciences conducted as part of a review of doctoral education currently being conducted by the EPSRC.
Aug 16, 2022
Journal Article
Veteran Educators or For-Profiteers? Tuition Responses to Changes in the Post-9/11 GI Bill
In 2010, Congress reauthorized the Post-9/11 GI Bill by changing reimbursement rates from by-state maximums to a nationwide limit. This change affected some institutions more than others. We find changes in tuition and student enrollment in response to changes in reimbursement rates.
Aug 11, 2022
Blog
Abortion Misinformation, Deepfakes, Environmental Racism: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on abortion misinformation in a post-Roe world, the threat of deepfakes, environmental hazards in historically redlined communities, and more.
Jul 8, 2022
Commentary
New Legislation May Not Be Enough to Counter Chinese Interference in British Universities
There is alarming evidence of growing Chinese espionage and influence in UK universities that could threaten UK national security and academic freedoms. Three complementary initiatives could increase university researchers' awareness of the potential risks of collaborating with certain Chinese partners.
Jul 8, 2022
Journal Article
Leak or Link? the Overrepresentation of Women in Non-Tenure-Track Academic Positions in STEM
This paper examines gender variation in departures from the tenure-track science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) academic career pathway to non-tenure-track academic careers.
Jul 7, 2022
Announcement
Frederick Pardee Dies at 89; Former RAND Researcher Gave Generously to RAND and Graduate School That Bears His Name
Frederick S. Pardee, a former RAND Corporation researcher turned real estate investor who helped endow the Pardee RAND Graduate School and gave generously to RAND throughout his life, has died. He was 89.
Jul 1, 2022

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RAND Topic:
Postsecondary Education

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Brian Phillips

Senior Quantitative Analyst

Brian Phillips is a senior quantitative analyst at the RAND Corporation. His research spans a wide range of policy areas including education, workforce development, labor markets, and demography. Recent projects have included educational program evaluations utilizing experimental,…
Christine Mulhern

Associate Policy Researcher

Christine Mulhern is an associate policy researcher at the RAND Corporation who focuses on the economics of education and labor economics. Her research studies how students and workers navigate education and career pathways, including whether and where to enroll in postsecondary education and…

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