The Economic Benefits of Closing Postsecondary Completion Gaps, by Julie Ajinkya, Rachel Rivas and Ernie Tedeschi, using national economic modeling to investigate the question: What would happen if we closed postsecondary completion gaps by 2040? Their analysis finds that closing gaps for those furthest from opportunity is not just moral imperative, but an economic one as well.

Our new report, A 2025 Snapshot of Postsecondary Completion Gaps, by Julie Ajinkya and Rachel Rivas, provides a descriptive snapshot of postsecondary completion rates across key demographic groups, shedding light on where the biggest gaps persist for individuals furthest from opportunity.

HCM’s State Policy & Research Director, Stephanie Murphy, delves into the latest update to HCM Strategists’ 2023 typology and policy landscape analysis of recent state investments in short-term credential initiatives across the United States. States continue to embrace skills-based education as a key component of workforce development, with growing bipartisan support. As of November 2024, states have invested more than $5.6 billion in short-term credential pathways.

As we close out 2024, our Partner Martha Snyder and Director Jessica Collis argue that it’s time for a transformation of our higher education system that leans into value, affordability, supports, and accountability to restore the public trust. Read their latest Insight blog for more.

Our State Policy & Research Director, Stephanie Murphy, provides a 2024 update of her 2023 typology and policy landscape analysis of state investments in short-term credential pathways. Her latest analysis shows that over the past year, eight states have established 10 new initiatives. Overall state investments now total $5.6 billion.

Our latest postsecondary finance brief, Beyond Sticker Prices: How States Can Make Postsecondary Education More Affordable, analyzes financial aid programs and affordability-related data in nine states. This analysis, which looked across regions, populations and various financial aid models, illustrates the significant variation in affordability across states, institutions and income brackets.

Presentation of Financing Futures: 15 Years of Postsecondary Finance

Insights Blog: Evolving Our Understanding of Equitable Postsecondary Finance

HCM + Edge Research release results from second year of major research study, Continuing to Explore the Exodus from Higher Education.

A policy playbook to demand excellence for Black learners.

In her latest blog, our director of state policy and research examines the latest state legislation for funding of short-term credential pathways.

The first of its kind typology and policy landscape analysis of short-term credentials programs by Stephanie M. Murphy, Ph.D.