Learn how Merit addresses the perception gap that prevents higher education from communicating the value of a degree to students, parents and employers.
4. To Reach the New Market for Education,
Colleges Have Some Learning to Do
Just Graduated, and Fumbling Through a First Job
America's young workers: Destined for failure?
New Documentary Weighs
Costs of Higher Ed
Is college worth it?
5. To Reach the New Market for Education,
Colleges Have Some Learning to Do
Just Graduated, and Fumbling Through a First Job
America's young workers: Destined for failure?
New Documentary Weighs
Costs of Higher Ed
Is college worth it?
MAY 25, 2014
Colleges Rattled
as Obama Seeks
Rating System
By MICHAEL D. SHEAR
WASHINGTON — The college presidents were appalled. Not
only had President Obama called for a government rating
system for their schools, but now one of his top education
officials was actually suggesting it would be as easy as
evaluating a kitchen appliance.
!
6. What are the main reasons you decided to go to college?
Source: Improving Student Outcomes, Crux Research March 2014
Students
7. What are the main reasons you decided to go to college?
32%
43%
57%
73% 71%
Gain skills
employers value
and are willing
to pay for
Gain greater
earning
potential
Be ready for
the world of
work
Become a
strong critical
thinker
Get a strong
general
education
Source: Improving Student Outcomes, Crux Research March 2014
Students
8. The primary purpose of a college degree is to produce…?
Source: Improving Student Outcomes, Crux Research March 2014
Educators
9. The primary purpose of a college degree is to produce…?
30%
48%
55%
65%
80%
Grads who’ve
been exposed
to new ideas
Grads with
greater
earning
potential
Job-ready
grads
Strong critical
thinkers
Grads with a
broad,
general
education
Source: Improving Student Outcomes, Crux Research March 2014
Educators
10. The primary purpose of a college degree is to produce…?
Source: Improving Student Outcomes, Crux Research March 2014
Employers
11. The primary purpose of a college degree is to produce…?
25%
43%
55% 54%
57%
Source: Improving Student Outcomes, Crux Research March 2014
Grads with skills
employers are
willing to pay for
Grads with
greater
earning
potential
Job-ready
grads
Strong critical
thinkers
Grads with a
broad,
general
education
Employers
12. Who is responsible for teaching the
job skills that meet employers’ needs?
13. Who is responsible for teaching the
job skills that meet employers’ needs?
“Employers are!”
Students
say
(35%)
“College is!”
(45%)
“Students are!”
Employers
say
(32%)
“College is!”
(39%)
14. Who is responsible for teaching the
job skills that meet employers’ needs?
15. Who is responsible for teaching the
job skills that meet employers’ needs?
Higher ed
says
“Employers are!”
(23%)
“Students are!”
(19%)
16. Who is responsible for teaching the
job skills that meet employers’ needs?
Higher ed
says
“Employers are!”
(23%)
“Students are!”
(19%)
“We are!” !
(53%)
20. Sample of 1,000 entry level job listings on Indeed, LinkedIn and Monster.com, March 2014
21. Accounting/
finance
Engineering IT/Software
Medical/
health
Training/
instruction
Sales/
business dev
Communication skills Communication skills Communication skills Communication skills Communication skills Communication skills
MS Office MS Office MS Office MS Office MS Office
Analytical skills
Java
AutoCAD SQL Computer skills Team player Team player
Sample of 1,000 entry level job listings on Indeed, LinkedIn and Monster.com, March 2014
22. Internships/practical experience
Communication/English & writing skills
Basic life skills
People skills/teamwork
Critical thinking/problem solving
Computer skills
Work ethic/discipline
Math & science
Leadership skills
Business/finance
Technical/trade skills
Other
9%
8%
9%
1%
0.5%
0.5%
7%
7%
6%
5%
12%
14%
Don't know 22%
Source: What America Needs to Know About Higher Education Redesign, Gallup-Lumina Foundation, February 2014
23. Internships/practical experience
Communication/English & writing skills
Basic life skills
People skills/teamwork
Critical thinking/problem solving
Computer skills
Work ethic/discipline
Math & science
Leadership skills
Business/finance
Technical/trade skills
Other
9%
8%
9%
1%
0.5%
0.5%
7%
7%
6%
5%
12%
14%
Don't know 22%
Source: What America Needs to Know About Higher Education Redesign, Gallup-Lumina Foundation, February 2014
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42. 300+
Colleges & universities
2.45 million
4.5 million
Students
Updates