Kansas Senate passes bill requiring universities to publicize grads’ salaries, debt
TOPEKA – Kansas universities would be required to publicize information on their graduates’ average salaries, student loan debt and employment under a bill approved by the state Senate.
Supporters of the bill, which passed the chamber on a 27-11 vote Thursday, said it would help prospective students make informed decisions on which university and major to choose by requiring those institutions to provide prospectuses comparing the average economic outcomes of their graduates from each degree track.
Republican Sen. Julia Lynn from Olathe said graduates today face higher education costs and a tougher job market than when she finished college, and that not all incoming students are aware of the realities.
“This will be an eye-opener for our young people, and you know what? They will make smart decisions with more information,” Lynn said.
But other senators balked at the cost for the universities to conduct the research – which the Kansas Board of Regents estimates could cost the institutions a combined $5.5 million per year – particularly when broader research is already available from the U.S. Department of Labor and financial publications such as Forbes magazine.
Democratic Sen. Laura Kelly from Topeka also pointed out that when each school compiles data for individual majors, the sample size used for the prospectuses could be too small to be scientifically reliable.
“We are better off working with our universities to make sure that they make accessible – or let students know – where the good data can be found,” Kelly said.
But Republican Sen. Jeff Melcher of Leawood said the more expensive universities could make a stronger case for their value if they can demonstrate that their graduates end up with higher salaries.
The bill will move to the House for consideration.
This story was originally published March 20, 2015 at 9:36 AM with the headline "Kansas Senate passes bill requiring universities to publicize grads’ salaries, debt."