California State University’s 22 campuses, along with public institutions in other states across the country, are piloting shortened bachelor’s degrees. Here, students study in a library on the campus of California State University, Long Beach in Long Beach, California, in October, 2012.

The Quiet Redesign of the Bachelor’s Degree

by Bruno V. Manno July 29, 2026August 10, 2026

Amid millions carrying some college credit and no bachelor’s degree, the lines between community college, four-year institutions, and even high schools are blurring. How to make this brave new world even better.

Higher Education

Higher Ed’s Affordability Problem Isn’t Just the Price

by Michael T. Nietzel May 5, 2026May 5, 2026

New survey data suggests that more Americans might see the value of a degree if schools simplified their pricing systems.

The student loan program once full of promise has lead to crushing debt and despair. Here's how to fix it.

Higher Education

Student Loan Debt: What Went Wrong and How to Fix It

by James Kvaal June 18, 2025August 22, 2025

Student Loan Debt: From Educational Opportunity to Generational Grievance: The history of student loan debt shows how noble programs and soaring tuition have often left too many students underwater. Fortunately, there are ways to fix the problem.