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Re: “EdPays tool crunches earnings of Colorado higher education graduates,” April 30 news story.
Few would argue that itap a good idea to provide students and families with sound information on potential earnings in various careers. But the recently released “Education Pays in Colorado” study falls far short of the mark. For the second straight year, the Colorado Department of Higher Education-sponsored study failed to achieve its aim, despite concerns raised the first time around. There is some good, accurate information in the study, but it has gaps that call into question its reliability and intent. It counts fewer than 50 percent of graduates. It doesn’t count graduates who work for the government. It doesn’t count those who leave the state after graduation, often for good jobs. It doesn’t count those who are pursuing graduate degrees, which lead to higher pay and more opportunities. It doesn’t count entrepreneurs who start businesses.
EdPays Colorado falls woefully short of giving students and families good, complete information about the value of a degree. Unfortunately, its suspect credibility does a disservice to those it aims to help.
Bruce D. Benson, Denver
The writer is president of the University of Colorado.
This letter was published in the May 8 edition.
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