College completion rates must match a growing demand for grads

Public universities are a powerful force in the U.S. economy. They stimulate innovation, meet ever-changing industry demands and enable us to remain competitive globally. They also transform lives through the socioeconomic gains associated with having a college degree. Although the societal and individual benefits of a college degree are clear, fewer than 60 percent of America’s first-year college students earn a baccalaureate degree within six years, the standard period used to assess graduation rates.