To align with changes enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), the Department of Education has proposed a new accountability framework for all college and university programs that qualify for Title IV financial aid. The Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) will replace the current Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) framework, setting earnings thresholds for graduates of any higher education program that receives federal financial aid. STATS is set to take effect in in July 2026, with the first earnings premium calculations to be released in 2027.
Whether you’re actively on the job market, or just keeping an eye open for opportunities, knowing how to build an institutional data profile is a key Data-Forward Leadership™ skill. This step-by-step worksheet guides you through two publicly available data sources: 1) College Navigator to get institutional data and 2) IPEDS Summary Tables to gather data on peer institutions for context.