Georgetown Center Released Postsecondary Value Reports
A new research series offers updated frameworks for measuring the economic and nonmonetary benefits of higher education.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Financial Aid
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The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce has published a three-report series to help leaders define and assess the value of postsecondary training. The research introduces a new model to standardize how institutions and states measure the outcomes of higher education.
Why it matters
As public confidence in the return on investment of higher education declines, policymakers and stakeholders require clearer methods to evaluate educational programs. This series provides a standardized structure to help bridge the gap between academic costs and long-term labor market success.
The new research series organizes postsecondary value into six distinct categories: investment, education, employment, earnings, wealth, and well-being. This model provides technical guidance for evaluating monetary and nonmonetary outcomes.
The players
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
This Washington, DC-based research institute specializes in studying the link between education, career readiness, and the broader labor market.
The details
The report series includes 'From Mann to Markets,' 'Measuring Postsecondary Value,' and 'A Framework for Assessing the Value of Postsecondary Education and Training.' These documents aim to assist leaders in identifying the most relevant data for determining how higher education contributes to individual and societal prosperity.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: The research institute published the three-report series.
Culture Shift
This series reflects a pivot toward rigorous quantitative accountability in the higher education sector as institutional costs continue to rise. It mirrors efforts to move beyond traditional degree completion stats toward deeper analyses of long-term economic mobility.
Students and families can use these frameworks to better weigh the potential long-term earnings and nonmonetary benefits of specific educational paths. By better understanding how value is measured, individuals may make more informed decisions regarding their training investments.
The takeaway
Future labor markets will increasingly demand higher levels of postsecondary education, making it vital to distinguish between various types of training. Evaluating education through this multi-dimensional lens can help prioritize programs that provide the strongest overall life and career advantages.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of Financial Aid as institutions align their programs with workforce needs.
More information
Access the complete full postsecondary value report series to review the detailed research findings.
Live Poll
Do you believe a college degree still offers enough financial value to justify its cost?
