<![CDATA[An Economist Goes to College]]>Mon, 16 Jan 2023 14:48:36 +0000Captivate.fmBeth Akershttps://artwork.captivate.fm/28fc656f-d5ec-44e9-a38c-c99c111b4409/WbS0ZE1zBFh8KNS6yvTa1j52.jpgAn Economist Goes to CollegeBeth AkersBeth AkersEconomist and scholar Beth Akers seeks to inform aspiring students about how to make strategic decisions about their higher education. Speaking on topics like how to use data to shop for college or non-college alternatives, how to utilize the student loan system to your advantage, and more, Beth cuts through the romanticism we often attach to college decision making and teaches listeners how to make decisions that are grounded in data and fact.https://an-economist-goes-to-co.captivate.fmnoepisodicThe History of College Earnings DataThe History of College Earnings DataGuest host Jason Delisle speaks with Amy Laitinen, director for higher education with the Education Policy program at New America. In this episode, they discuss college earnings metrics: though knowing how much a student who pursues a particular major at a particular university seems like obvious information, in fact, that data has only recently become available. Amy discusses the history of this data, its potential, and its limitations.

]]>Guest host Jason Delisle speaks with Amy Laitinen, director for higher education with the Education Policy program at New America. In this episode, they discuss college earnings metrics: though knowing how much a student who pursues a particular major at a particular university seems like obvious information, in fact, that data has only recently become available. Amy discusses the history of this data, its potential, and its limitations.

]]>92747c22-26f1-4402-9e05-9c63e6b2fe27Tue, 08 Feb 2022 06:00:00 -050040:06nofull17Beth AkersMeasuring College Outcomes: Limits and PotentialMeasuring College Outcomes: Limits and PotentialBeth speaks with Kristin Blagg, a senior research associate in the Center on Education Data and Policy at the Urban Institute who focuses on educational funding and finance policy. In this episode, they discuss how data can be used to measure college outcomes and influence decisions about where to go to college, and how geography impacts student choice.

]]>Beth speaks with Kristin Blagg, a senior research associate in the Center on Education Data and Policy at the Urban Institute who focuses on educational funding and finance policy. In this episode, they discuss how data can be used to measure college outcomes and influence decisions about where to go to college, and how geography impacts student choice.

]]>b1c7981d-0772-489a-8af2-95c88fe0399bTue, 25 Jan 2022 06:00:00 -050026:48nofull16Beth AkersMeasuring college qualityMeasuring college qualityBeth speaks with Mike Itzkowitz, the founder and president of the HEA group and a senior fellow at Third Way, a national think tank that champions modern center-left ideas. In this episode, they discuss the college scorecard, which is a tool for publishing college outcomes data, and the massive leaps forward we’ve seen in transparency in higher education in the last decade.

]]>Beth speaks with Mike Itzkowitz, the founder and president of the HEA group and a senior fellow at Third Way, a national think tank that champions modern center-left ideas. In this episode, they discuss the college scorecard, which is a tool for publishing college outcomes data, and the massive leaps forward we’ve seen in transparency in higher education in the last decade.

]]>f918d87e-1cf0-403f-91ab-3f0e6019954cTue, 21 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -050027:32nofull14Beth AkersDoes college teach us to be unhappy?Does college teach us to be unhappy?Beth speaks with Ben and Jenna Storey, visiting fellows in Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute and professors of politics and international affairs at Furman University. They are the authors of "Why We Are Restless," which discusses how the pursuit of happiness can wind up making us less happy. In this episode, they discuss whether college is really fulfilling its purpose and helping students find direction.

]]>Beth speaks with Ben and Jenna Storey, visiting fellows in Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute and professors of politics and international affairs at Furman University. They are the authors of "Why We Are Restless," which discusses how the pursuit of happiness can wind up making us less happy. In this episode, they discuss whether college is really fulfilling its purpose and helping students find direction.

]]>1cfbae90-5432-4dda-89a5-e759e7759351Tue, 07 Dec 2021 10:00:00 -050040:04nofull14Beth AkersFederal funding for higher education: what’s happened and what’s coming, post-reconciliation?Federal funding for higher education: what’s happened and what’s coming, post-reconciliation?Beth speaks with Barmak Nassirian, Vice President for Higher Education Policy at Veterans Education Success, about the rise of higher education finance as a political phenomenon. They discuss the problems that lead to its prominence, and what we can expect to happen next.

]]>Beth speaks with Barmak Nassirian, Vice President for Higher Education Policy at Veterans Education Success, about the rise of higher education finance as a political phenomenon. They discuss the problems that lead to its prominence, and what we can expect to happen next.

]]>80e2abf3-166a-45a7-9e84-4d12cca1319dTue, 16 Nov 2021 06:00:00 -050033:06nofull13Beth AkersWhat’s the deal with Public Service Loan Forgiveness?What’s the deal with Public Service Loan Forgiveness?Beth is joined by Justin Draeger, the president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), to discuss the fraught Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: what it is, why it exists, how it's working, and what should be done about it.

]]>Beth is joined by Justin Draeger, the president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), to discuss the fraught Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: what it is, why it exists, how it's working, and what should be done about it.

]]>4058c3f2-f11b-402e-b3a3-63ce3058a17dTue, 02 Nov 2021 09:45:00 -050028:00nofull12Beth AkersIncome-share agreements and the future of paying for collegeIncome-share agreements and the future of paying for collegeBeth speaks with Kevin James, founder and CEO of Better Future Forward, about income-share agreements, their role in the future of paying for college, and what might stand in the way of this promising innovation.

]]>Beth speaks with Kevin James, founder and CEO of Better Future Forward, about income-share agreements, their role in the future of paying for college, and what might stand in the way of this promising innovation.

]]>051d8db3-aa8d-4573-b590-0d92149ce6adTue, 19 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -050028:32nofull11Beth AkersCollege admissions: The good, the bad, and the illegalCollege admissions: The good, the bad, and the illegalBeth speaks with Melissa Korn, a higher education journalist for The Wall Street Journal, about the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal, its impact on the admissions process so far, and what the scandal has revealed about our higher education system.

See Melissa and co-author Jennifer Levitz's recent book about the Varsity Blues scandal: "Unacceptable: Privilege, Deceit & the Making of the College Admissions Scandal" (Penguin Random House, 2020).

]]>Beth speaks with Melissa Korn, a higher education journalist for The Wall Street Journal, about the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal, its impact on the admissions process so far, and what the scandal has revealed about our higher education system.

See Melissa and co-author Jennifer Levitz's recent book about the Varsity Blues scandal: "Unacceptable: Privilege, Deceit & the Making of the College Admissions Scandal" (Penguin Random House, 2020).

]]>449693c9-7a9a-48e4-b974-c47ff93cf295Tue, 05 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -050026:02nofull10Beth AkersWhy is college so expensive and what can be done about it?Why is college so expensive and what can be done about it?Beth speaks with Jon Meer, a professor of economics at Texas A&M University, about why college tuition keeps rising and what we can do to change its upward trajectory.

]]>Beth speaks with Jon Meer, a professor of economics at Texas A&M University, about why college tuition keeps rising and what we can do to change its upward trajectory.

]]>96115df4-c330-4027-8cde-5978e24a2406Wed, 22 Sep 2021 06:00:00 -050033:24nofull9Beth AkersHow student loans became a national catastropheHow student loans became a national catastropheBeth speaks with Josh Mitchell, who covers economics and student debt for the Wall Street Journal, about his newest book, “The Debt Trap: How Student Loans Became a National Catastrophe” (Simon and Schuster, 2021). They discuss the history of the student loan system, what the student debt crisis is precisely, and what it means for the future of higher education policy.

Link to "The Debt Trap": bit.ly/DebtTrapBook

]]>Beth speaks with Josh Mitchell, who covers economics and student debt for the Wall Street Journal, about his newest book, “The Debt Trap: How Student Loans Became a National Catastrophe” (Simon and Schuster, 2021). They discuss the history of the student loan system, what the student debt crisis is precisely, and what it means for the future of higher education policy.

Link to "The Debt Trap": bit.ly/DebtTrapBook

]]>21449bc0-e242-458f-ab1d-c3f529076c0aTue, 07 Sep 2021 06:00:00 -050026:34nofull8Beth AkersShould college be free?Should college be free?Beth speaks with Ari Rabin-Havt, legislative director and chief policy advisor for

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) about the merits and drawbacks associated with

making college tuition-free, how to create better market incentives in the

higher education space, and what it takes to have a middle-class life and

achieve the American dream in the 21st century.

]]>Beth speaks with Ari Rabin-Havt, legislative director and chief policy advisor for

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) about the merits and drawbacks associated with

making college tuition-free, how to create better market incentives in the

higher education space, and what it takes to have a middle-class life and

achieve the American dream in the 21st century.

]]>82c2fd82-6ed9-4444-8421-a6dad3fd13a0Wed, 30 Jun 2021 06:00:00 -050036:56nofull7Beth AkersNon-college alternativesNon-college alternativesBeth speaks with Kristin Sharp, CEO of the Education Quality Outcomes Standards Board (EQOS) and Alison Griffin, SVP of Whiteboard Advisors, about the landscape of non-college alternatives, how aspiring students should think locally when it comes to job training, challenging the stigma surrounding vocational programs, and advice for aspiring students on how to find high quality programs.

]]>Beth speaks with Kristin Sharp, CEO of the Education Quality Outcomes Standards Board (EQOS) and Alison Griffin, SVP of Whiteboard Advisors, about the landscape of non-college alternatives, how aspiring students should think locally when it comes to job training, challenging the stigma surrounding vocational programs, and advice for aspiring students on how to find high quality programs.

]]>ba2db0f4-1540-4e84-b55a-9e3c0a477c0aTue, 15 Jun 2021 06:00:00 -050030:46nofull6Beth AkersAEI Web Event – Making College Pay: An economist explains how to make a smart bet on higher educationAEI Web Event – Making College Pay: An economist explains how to make a smart bet on higher educationOn May 18, AEI hosted a panel discussion on how to make data-driven decisions about higher education. The University of North Carolina System’s Andrew P. Kelly, The Wall Street Journal’s Josh Mitchell, and Braven’s Vince Marigna discussed Beth Akers’ new book, “Making College Pay: An Economist Explains How to Make a Smart Bet on Higher Education” (Penguin Random House, 2021). The conversation addressed how aspiring students can make strategic rather than romantic decisions about college, how parents can be practical when assisting their children in this process, and how higher education can remain an engine for opportunity, upward mobility, and prosperity.

]]>On May 18, AEI hosted a panel discussion on how to make data-driven decisions about higher education. The University of North Carolina System’s Andrew P. Kelly, The Wall Street Journal’s Josh Mitchell, and Braven’s Vince Marigna discussed Beth Akers’ new book, “Making College Pay: An Economist Explains How to Make a Smart Bet on Higher Education” (Penguin Random House, 2021). The conversation addressed how aspiring students can make strategic rather than romantic decisions about college, how parents can be practical when assisting their children in this process, and how higher education can remain an engine for opportunity, upward mobility, and prosperity.

]]>4e5e8aa6-8c5e-4b26-8a19-6c578f060bc0Tue, 08 Jun 2021 06:00:00 -050040:55nobonusBeth AkersThe case against collegeThe case against collegeBeth speaks with Bryan Caplan, Professor of Economics at George Mason University, about his book, “The Case Against Education: Why the Education System Is a Waste of Time and Money” (Princeton University Press, 2018). They both talk about the signaling model vs the human capital model of higher education, the current “arms-race” surrounding postsecondary degrees, the non-economic benefits of education, misconceptions about the cost of college, and practical advice for aspiring students. 

]]>Beth speaks with Bryan Caplan, Professor of Economics at George Mason University, about his book, “The Case Against Education: Why the Education System Is a Waste of Time and Money” (Princeton University Press, 2018). They both talk about the signaling model vs the human capital model of higher education, the current “arms-race” surrounding postsecondary degrees, the non-economic benefits of education, misconceptions about the cost of college, and practical advice for aspiring students. 

]]>2ffc84a7-c346-4046-912f-a1d2416344ceTue, 01 Jun 2021 10:15:00 -050026:47nofull5Beth AkersUsing insurance to take the risk out of paying for collegeUsing insurance to take the risk out of paying for collegeBeth talks with Wade Eyerly, the founder and CEO of Degree Insurance, about the potential role for insurance in the world of higher education, the risk involved in postsecondary education, and what this emerging industry is doing for students. 

]]>Beth talks with Wade Eyerly, the founder and CEO of Degree Insurance, about the potential role for insurance in the world of higher education, the risk involved in postsecondary education, and what this emerging industry is doing for students. 

]]>542e749b-0413-4575-ba02-cee4d11cba5bTue, 18 May 2021 06:00:00 -050028:36nofull4Beth AkersCollege can be a risky bet. Here’s how to come out ahead.College can be a risky bet. Here’s how to come out ahead.In this episode, Beth speaks with Douglas Webber, a professor of economics at Temple University, about the risks associated with picking and paying for college, which factors (i.e. major, institution, etc) matter most when it comes to your degree paying off, and advice for aspiring students on how to mitigate risk.

]]>In this episode, Beth speaks with Douglas Webber, a professor of economics at Temple University, about the risks associated with picking and paying for college, which factors (i.e. major, institution, etc) matter most when it comes to your degree paying off, and advice for aspiring students on how to mitigate risk.

]]>a59658bb-6cee-4274-9888-5f89c45bad8fTue, 04 May 2021 06:00:00 -050030:23nofull3Beth AkersWe’re too sentimental about collegeWe’re too sentimental about collegeBeth talks with Michelle Singletary, a personal finance columnist for The Washington Post, about what parents should consider before enrolling their children into college, the role of student debt in financing a degree, and advice for aspiring students and parents about how they can think critically about paying for college.

]]>Beth talks with Michelle Singletary, a personal finance columnist for The Washington Post, about what parents should consider before enrolling their children into college, the role of student debt in financing a degree, and advice for aspiring students and parents about how they can think critically about paying for college.

]]>355979b9-d846-45d0-93fd-3387f2f21319Tue, 20 Apr 2021 14:15:00 -050030:52nofull2Beth AkersWhat we get wrong when it comes to paying for collegeWhat we get wrong when it comes to paying for collegeIn this episode, Beth speaks with Ron Lieber, a personal finance columnist for The New York Times and author of the book, “The Price You Pay for College,” about the ins and outs of the college decision-making process. They talk about what aspiring students and their families most often get wrong about the system, and what they really can’t afford to misunderstand, when it comes to picking and paying for college.

]]>In this episode, Beth speaks with Ron Lieber, a personal finance columnist for The New York Times and author of the book, “The Price You Pay for College,” about the ins and outs of the college decision-making process. They talk about what aspiring students and their families most often get wrong about the system, and what they really can’t afford to misunderstand, when it comes to picking and paying for college.

]]>9a746360-6fae-4079-9db5-fcef52b9f479Wed, 31 Mar 2021 11:45:00 -050025:26nofull1Beth Akers