U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) joined fellow lawmakers in introducing a bill Thursday that would require colleges and universities to provide students and families with “more reliable data” to make a better-informed decision on areas of study, according to an announcement from Capitol Hill.
The College Transparency Act has bipartisan support and aims to modernize the way schools report data, providing prospective students with the most comprehensive information possible when choosing a major. It would require colleges and universities to provide information regarding graduation rates, job opportunities, and earning potential.
This data would be available on a federally run website created for students, families, and policymakers to access before making decisions about higher education. The site would include an analytics tool, allowing users to customize and filter information and create aggregate reports.
“College is a significant investment, and students deserve clear, reliable information to guide their choices,” Hyde-Smith said. “The College Transparency Act would provide them with valuable data on how different options affect these future opportunities. I’ve long supported this sensible legislation that promotes transparency and accountability for the benefit of students, families, and employers.”
The data system would also include higher education costs and financial aid opportunities available to students, spurring an endorsement from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
Lawmakers previously attempted, without success, in 2017 and 2023 to pass similar legislation. A companion bill was introduced in the House in hopes of sending the College Transparency Act to the desk of President Donald Trump. Both bills have bipartisan cosponsors.
