Costs

American colleges and universities spend billions of dollars a year from state, federal, and private sources. The following articles identify ways to cut costs and ensure that public investment in higher education provides value to students, taxpayers, and society.

Aug 1, 2022 · Phillip W. Magness and James R. Harrigan

Fit to Print? UNC’s Settlement with Nikole Hannah-Jones is Bad News

A reporter who hasn’t dreamt of one day writing for the New York Times is a rare bird. “I’ll start with my local newspaper,” they tell themselves. “Then I’ll move…

Jul 27, 2022 · Richard K. Vedder

One of Our Few Great College Presidents Retires

University presidents make a difference. The best of them can steer a university to new heights of greatness, while the worst of them can bring costly mediocrity or even extinction.…

Jul 18, 2022 · Ashlynn Warta

UNC System Athletic Directors’ Salaries Tell Us What Universities Value

As previously mentioned in this series, college sports are a big business. Businesses need managers, and, as such, colleges and universities have athletic directors. In college sports, the athletic director…

Jul 7, 2022 · Keller Moore

Did You Know? Department of Education Extends FAFSA-Verification Waiver

Citing the continuing impact of COVID-19, the Department of Education extended its Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) verification waiver on May 18, 2022. Each academic year, millions of…

Jul 4, 2022 · Ashlynn Warta

UNC System Coaches’ Salaries: An Intentional Mystery?

College sports are a lifestyle for many people and an indispensable business opportunity for colleges and universities. Many UNC System schools are perhaps better known for their sports teams than…

Jun 30, 2022 · Harrington Shaw

Did You Know? Student Loan “Pauses” Help Those Who Can Afford to Pay

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers implemented sweeping relief programs to offset the economic shock of lockdowns, layoffs, and shifts in consumer behavior. Among these actions was a…

Jun 23, 2022 · Alexandra Stroud

Did You Know? New College to Launch in Wake Forest This Fall

Thales College, a new undergraduate institution launching this fall in Wake Forest, N.C., is eagerly preparing to open its doors to its inaugural class. Thales College is a unique institution…

Jun 20, 2022 · Ashlynn Warta

Are UNC System Chancellors Overpaid?

Chancellor salaries at public universities across the country are far higher than those for other public executives, out of step with faculty compensation, and unrelated to student success and university…

Jun 9, 2022 · Harrington Shaw

Did You Know? Violations Found in UNC System Audits

A recent report by the North Carolina State Auditor found that three universities in the UNC system have committed notable violations, including the misreporting of student-enrollment status where financial aid…