Thank You, Delta Cost Project

After nearly five years, a champion for affordability in higher education has completed the first phase of its journey. In 2007, the Delta Project on Postsecondary Costs, Productivity and Accountability set out to increase the understanding that institution leaders, policymakers, and journalists have of college spending. The project did this by developing and advocating for better data, cost metrics, and communication. Few organizations have done as much to expose and explain the spending practices of postsecondary institutions.

Beginning in January, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) will fold the database portion of the Delta Project’s work into its IPEDS data collection and communication work. Meanwhile, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) will assume the responsibility for ongoing public analysis and communication about higher education revenue and spending trends. That new project will be known as the Delta Cost Project at AIR.

At a time when college budgets are shrinking and families can contribute less to their child’s education, the research and tools created by the Delta Project are invaluable. According to an INSIDE Higher Ed article, several higher education systems have incorporated the Delta Project’s analyses into their accountability systems. Not only are those institutions more attuned to their spending now, but they are better positioned to make sound fiscal decisions.

We at The Education Trust salute the team at the Delta Project for a job well done. The national conversation around access to quality higher education is better because of your hard work.

— The Education Trust