When I was beginning my final year of graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I started a blog with the goal of thinking through some of the interesting issues in higher education policy by writing about them. I joined Twitter a few months later (in February 2013), and I’ve done my best to consistently […]
Robert Kelchen
Robert Kelchen, a professor of education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the Data Editor of the Washington Monthly College Guide.
Robert is on Bluesky @robertkelchen.com.
Posted inCollege Guide, Magazine, September/October 2017
America’s Best Bang for the Buck Colleges 2017
Our exclusive list of schools that help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.
Posted inEducation, Higher Education
Not-so-Free College and the Disappointment Effect
One of the most appealing aspects of tuition-free higher education proposals is that they convey a simple message about higher education affordability. Although students will need to come up with a substantial amount of money to cover textbooks, fees, and living expenses, one key expense will be covered if students hold up their end of […]
Posted inEducation, Higher Education
Examining Variations in Marriage Rates Across Colleges
This piece originally appeared at the Brookings Institution’s Brown Center Chalkboard blog. Young adulthood is not only the time when most people attend college, but also a time when many marry. In fact, college attendance and marriage are linked and have social and economic consequences for individuals and their families. When (and if) people get […]
Posted inEducation, Higher Education
Examining Trends in the Pell Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Education recently released its annual report on the federal Pell Grant program, which provides detailed information about the program’s finances and who is receiving grants. The most recent report includes data from the 2015-16 academic year, and I summarize the data and trends over the last two decades in this annual […]
Posted inEducation, Higher Education
The Tangled Web of Student Debt Consolidation Companies
Like seemingly most American households, the Kelchens get far more junk in the mail than actual mail of value. We get about as many credit card applications as our shredder can handle, as well as folks trying to sell us a broad array of products and services. But letters that mention student loan debt and […]
Posted inEducation, Higher Education
Which States Search for FAFSA Information the Most?
Google search data show which states search the most for information on student aid.
Posted inEducation, Higher Education
Comments on the Trump Higher Education Budget Proposal
The Trump administration is proposing some substantial changes to how students and colleges are funded.
Posted inEducation, Higher Education
What Does a Professor Do During the Summer?
The life of a professor isn’t idle.
Posted inEducation, Higher Education
A Look at Unmet Financial Need by Family Income
One of the perks of my job is that I get to talk with journalists around the country on a regular basis—it gives me the chance to keep up on what are the hot topics in the broader community as well as build connections with some wonderful people. I recently chatted with Jeff Selingo of […]
