Third Way Education

Rethinking College Rankings: A New Approach Uplifts Regional Schools | Insight Into Academia What if the best college in America isn’t ivy-covered or sitting on a billion-dollar endowment? A growing movement is questioning traditional ranking systems that reward exclusivity rather than…

College rankings that value impact over prestige give regional schools a boost. Insight Into Academia reports on how affordability, mobility, and local impact factor into the scores. 🔗https://buff.ly/UFoVe0y

📣We’re growing our education team! Third Way is hiring a Higher Education Policy Advisor. If you’re ready to make an impact in higher ed policy, apply today!
🔗 buff.ly/q45LPFO

Students go to college to earn more—but are institutions delivering? 🎓💸 Congress is taking steps to hold schools accountable. Watch our latest animated video to learn more!

As neg reg sessions kick off this week, one decision is looming: how we should define professional programs. Too many exceptions, and loan limits lose their meaning. 👀 Read our blog to see what’s at stake: www.thirdway.org/blog/profess...

Grad debt makes up nearly half of student loans. In our latest blog, @bencecil.bsky.social argued Congress intended a narrow definition of ‘professional’ programs so students aren’t overborrowing and have manageable debt. More from @jessicablake.bsky.social @insidehighered.com 🔗: buff.ly/0BSvDPN

Student loan rules are on the table. As negotiators define ‘graduate’ and ‘professional’ programs under OBBBA, access to federal aid and student debt outcomes hang in the balance. Learn more from @bencecil.bsky.social ⤵️
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#AANAPISIWeek spotlight✨: Swipe through to see how these top 4 AANAPISIs are supporting Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander students—helping them graduate, succeed in careers, and build stronger communities.
🔗Check them out: buff.ly/KAABZ9i

It’s #HBCUWeek! HBCUs are just 3% of US colleges but graduate about 1 in 5 Black undergrads. Eight made the top tier of our Economic Mobility Index—here are 4 standouts👇
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📣We’re growing our education team! Third Way is hiring a Higher Education Policy Advisor. If you’re ready to make an impact in higher ed policy, apply today!
🔗 buff.ly/q45LPFO

💡Want a clearer picture of how higher education really pays off? Our latest memo shows how the Institute of Education Sciences can leverage better data—from NCES surveys to community college outcomes—to help students and taxpayers see the full story.
🔗 www.thirdway.org/memo/four-wa...

Earnings Threshold 101 video

ICYMI: The earnings threshold in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act might sound wonky, but our latest video breaks it down. It’s simple—if a credential doesn’t lead to better financial outcomes, the program shouldn’t receive federal dollars. Check it out! 🎥

HSIs are engines of opportunity—driving Latino student success and fueling socioeconomic mobility since their federal recognition in 1992.🎓  Read Dr. Stephanie Aguilar-Smith's insights on their lasting impact and success.
🔗 www.thirdway.org/report/servi...

Our latest memo from @emiliarounds.bsky.social highlights 4 ways IES can improve student outcomes data: 📝 Maintain NCES surveys 🤝 Strengthen IPEDS links 🎓 Enhance grad data 📊 Publish CC success data. Read more here: buff.ly/asQ5Xpy

The Case for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): Opportunity Meeting Talent By: Deborah A. Santiago, CEO, Excelencia in Education

HSIs drive access + socioeconomic mobility with fewer resources. Supporting them strengthens America's "competitiveness, democracy, and shared prosperity." Pulling back isn’t neutral—it’s damaging. Excelencia in Education explains why ⬇️
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Looking for your next move in higher ed policy?🔍 Our job board just got fresh listings!

Associate, Academic Affairs – APLU
Senior Policy Analyst – SHEEO
Assistant Director of Policy – IHEP

Submit your own role or explore more opportunities at higheredpolicyjobs.org.

College should be a launchpad, not a liability. @MichelleDimino (for @AEIeducation) outlines how an earnings test + targeted support can drive accountability, protect taxpayers, and ensure higher ed delivers real value. Explore the report ⬇️
buff.ly/my5zFBC

Earnings Threshold 101 video

Students go to college to boost their earnings. But what happens when schools fall short? Our latest animated video explains the new earnings threshold and why it matters. 🎥

Senior Policy Advisor @bencecil.bsky.social partnered up w/ New America's edu team for a presentation on measuring higher ed value to students & stakeholders at the 2025 NCAN Conference—because confirming that college delivers real results is key to keeping it a trusted pathway for opportunity. 🤝

Students deserve programs that pay off. A new report from @michelledimino.bsky.social w/ AEI Education shows how an earnings test + targeted support can raise accountability, protect taxpayers, & boost college value. Dive into the findings.⤵️
www.aei.org/research-pro...

GOP-led House panel proposes 15% cut to Education Department The Appropriations Committee’s plan would fulfill several of President Donald Trump’s wishes, though it would keep the maximum Pell Grant at $7,395.

House Republicans proposed a 15% cut to ED for 2026, reducing student aid programs but unexpectedly keeping Pell Grants at its max amount. Senate funding plans differ, setting up a funding clash as the budget advances. Read more from Higher Ed Dive:

🚨Another neg reg session is coming up this fall, and we’re pushing for short-term credentials that help students succeed. Too many programs fail to deliver, so we need guardrails to ensure short-term Pell only goes to programs that truly work.

Higher Ed Now Higher Ed Now is a production of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. It is a podcast concerning issues and policy in America's higher education system.

ICYMI: The Higher Ed Now podcast broke down the politics of accreditation. Emily Rounds and Kyle Beltramini explored why reform is needed and where both sides of the aisle agree on improving student outcomes.
🔗Listen here: buff.ly/MjNKOOQ and on Apple Podcasts!

Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) Introduces Bipartisan ‘Teachers Are Leaders Act’ to Retain Experienced Teachers and Bolster Professional Development WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) today introduced the bipartisan ‘Teachers Are Leaders Act’ to retain experienced teachers, strengthen classroom instruction, and help students...

The bipartisan Teachers Are Leaders Act would empower teachers to lead in their school districts and communities – mentoring colleagues, engaging families, and strengthening curriculum so every student can reach their full potential.

mannion.house.gov/media/press-...

The latest from @michelledimino.bsky.social of @thirdwayedu.bsky.social:

A new federal tax credit scholarship program gives states the chance to fund tutoring, afterschool programs, and other student supports at no cost. In @washingtonpost.com, @michelledimino.bsky.social urges Democrats not to leave these dollars on the table.
🔗 buff.ly/2ikePaY

Survey: Students Link Trust in College to Affordability In the first installment of our 2025–26 Student Voice survey series, most students express confidence in their institution—with clear room for improvement, especially when it comes to affordability.

Nearly 2 in 3 students hold high trust in their institution, yet 36% say their trust in higher ed has dropped since starting college. Dive into @cflaihe.bsky.social @insidehighered.com's new Student Voice survey results to see how trust shifts for colleges.
🔗 buff.ly/5l5ViyU

Accreditation is a hot topic—why now? Policy Advisor @emiliarounds.bsky.social joined the Higher Ed Now podcast w/ Kyle Beltramini at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni to break down the politics, what's at stake for colleges, & the path to reform. Listen here: buff.ly/MjNKOOQ or on Apple.🎙️

State Leaders Discuss a Way Forward at SHEEO Conference Despite acknowledging a “radically different policy environment” in D.C., state commissioners and policy staff remain confident in the mission and value of higher ed.

A big theme from SHEEO’s Higher Education Policy Conference: bridging the gap between data and public perception on the value of a degree.
@jessicablake.bsky.social shares highlights and discussions from the event.
📰 www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...

The end of uncapped Grad Plus loans could force universities to rethink which graduate programs are worth running, as many institutions rely on graduate tuition revenue as a major source of funding. Learn what this means for students & universities.
Read more from Forbes🔗
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Americans still see the value in higher education, but students, families, & taxpayers need clear info to prove it. In this clip from yesterday's session at the @sheeoed.bsky.social conference, our director @michelledimino.bsky.social shared how stakeholders can make the case for higher ed’s value.️