“The question isn’t whether college is worth it. The question is how institutions can make that value undeniable—and more equitable.”
—John Ingram
We’ve all seen the headlines: declining public trust, questions about ROI, shrinking enrollments. But the message behind NACUBO’s recent More Is Possible campaign isn’t just that higher education still has value—it’s that we have the tools to prove it and improve it.
The question isn’t whether college is worth it. The question is: What can colleges and universities do right now to make that value undeniable—and more equitable?
1. Frame Value as a Collective Outcome
Too often, we reduce value to individual earnings. But institutions can and should show how their graduates fuel local economies, support civic health, and anchor communities. It’s time to connect the dots publicly—through economic impact studies, alumni tracking, and community partnership data.
📌 Opportunity: Build storytelling and data strategies that communicate not just “student success,” but “community success.”
2. Make Student Support Central to Your Value Proposition
“More support” is more than a line from a campaign. It’s a commitment to proactive advising, financial wellness programs, mental health services, and career development. These aren’t auxiliary—they’re central to institutional effectiveness and long-term student outcomes.
📌 Opportunity: Audit your support services. Are they visible, accessible, and integrated into your student success narrative?
3. Measure What Matters—Then Share It
Your institution is likely already generating data on learning outcomes, retention, job placement, and transfer success. But are you turning that data into public value? Are you using it to advocate, to fundraise, to recruit?
📌 Opportunity: Create a “public impact” dashboard or annual storybook that pairs metrics with mission-driven language.
The Bottom Line: Institutions Need to Lead the Narrative
NACUBO’s message is clear: more is possible. But it’s on institutions to show what that “more” looks like—in real terms, for real people.
This isn’t just about defending higher education. It’s about reclaiming leadership in the value conversation with data, strategy, and heart.
If your institution is thinking about how to better define and demonstrate its impact, I’d be glad to talk.
