WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) reintroduced the College Transparency Act (CTA), which ensures that students and families have better information as they consider higher education opportunities. U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-Pa.-16) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill-8) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

 

“With the cost of college higher than ever, kids and their families deserve to know exactly what they’re paying and what they’re getting out of it,” said Murphy. “Our bill gives students the information they need about post-grad earnings and employment outcomes so they can choose the path that’s right for them.”

 

“Every student deserves access to clear information about colleges and universities so they can choose a school that’s best for them, and that’s exactly what our bill would do. The College Transparency Act would make sure basic information like enrollment, transfer, and graduation rates are available to students and their families so they can make informed decisions about their futures,” said Warren.

 

“The One Big Beautiful Bill made historic reforms to our broken higher education system, lowering college costs and increasing Americans’ access to quality education options,” said Cassidy. “The College Transparency Act builds on that success by empowering students and families with information to make the best college decision so they can succeed.”

 

The CTA modernizes the college reporting system for postsecondary data by providing accurate reporting on student outcomes such as enrollment, completion, and post-college earnings across colleges and majors, while ensuring the privacy of individual students is securely protected.

 

This information will give students a clear understanding of the return on investment in higher education and help them to make better decisions as to which schools and programs of study are best suited to their unique needs and desired outcomes. It will also promote better outcomes by aiding institutions of learning and policymakers in their work to improve our country’s post-secondary education system and assist businesses and other employers in finding potential employees best suited for a particular field.

 

Murphy, Cassidy, and Warren are also joined by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) in cosponsoring this legislation.

 

The CTA is supported by AccessLex Institute, Advance CTE, Advance Illinois, American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), American Association of State Colleges and Universities, Association for Career and Technical Education, Association of American Universities, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, Complete College America, Data Quality Campaign, EdTrust, Education Reform Now, EmployIndy, Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Resource Center, Huntsville Walker County Chamber of Commerce, Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), Japanese American Citizens League, JFF, NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, National College Attainment Network, National Skills Coalition, National Tooling and Machining Association, New America's Higher Education Program, New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals, Postsecondary Education & Economics Research (PEER) Center, Precision Metalforming Association, Public Insight Data Corporation, Results for America, State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, The Institute for College Access & Success, Third Way, Today's Students Coalition, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, uAspire, and Young Invincibles.

 

Click here for the full bill text.