Challenge of Measuring Work-Force Outcomes

Accurately tracking the job placement rates and earnings of college graduates is tricky business, according to a new paper from the American Association of Community Colleges. Policy makers are pushing hard for work force performance measures, but the data are often problematic. For example, students' paths after community college might include more college or enlistment in the military, the paper said. And institutional earnings data vary widely based on students' majors and earned credentials.