U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) on July 29 introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would establish a postsecondary student data system to ensure basic information like enrollment, transfer, and graduation rates are available to students and their families as they consider higher education opportunities.
“College is one of the biggest investments a person will make in their lifetime,” Rep. Kelly said on Tuesday. “This legislation empowers families to make the decision that is best for them, and it further sheds light on critical information families seek before beginning college.”
Rep. Kelly cosponsored the College Transparency Act, H.R. 4806, alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and seven other original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
Sen. Cassidy sponsored the identical S. 2511 in the Senate with 21 original cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
“The One Big Beautiful Bill made historic reforms to our broken higher education system, lowering college costs and increasing Americans’ access to quality education options,” said Sen. Cassidy. “The College Transparency Act builds on that success by empowering students and families with information to make the best college decision so they can succeed.”
If enacted, the measure would modernize the college reporting system for postsecondary data by providing accurate reporting on student outcomes such as enrollment, completion, and post-college earnings across colleges and majors, while ensuring the privacy of individual students is securely protected, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
The bill has garnered support from numerous organizations, including the American Association of Community Colleges, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Association for Career and Technical Education, the Data Quality Campaign, EdTrust, the Japanese American Citizens League, the National Skills Coalition, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among many others.
“Every student deserves access to clear information about colleges and universities so they can choose a school that’s best for them, and that’s exactly what our bill would do,” Sen. Warren said.