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Small Towns,
Big Opportunities

Many Workers in Rural Areas Have Good Jobs, but These Areas Need Greater Investment in Education, Training, and Career Counseling

Working Adults in Rural America Are Almost as Likely (50%) as Working Adults in Urban America (54%) to Have a Job That Pays at Least Middle-Class Wages

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Explore Our ROI Rankings

Find your institution and program among 4,500 colleges and universities ranked by various ROI metrics.

Ranking 4,500 Colleges by ROI (2022)

Buyer Beware: First-Year Earnings and Debt for 37,000 College Majors at 4,400 Institutions

The Colleges Where Low-Income Students Get the Highest ROI

Who We Are

Our research focuses on three core areas with the goal of better aligning education and training with workforce and labor market demand: Jobs, Skills, and Equity.

Video Library

Watch dynamic report overviews from our lead economists, media interviews, Capitol Hill testimonies, webinars, conference keynotes, and more.

Who We Are

We are a research and policy institute within Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy that studies the links between education, career qualifications, and workforce demands.

Interactive State Map

Use our interactive map to view state-level research on job projections, the economic value of college majors, sector studies on healthcare, nursing, and STEM.

Video Library

Watch dynamic report overviews from our lead economists, media interviews, Capitol Hill testimonies, webinars, conference keynotes, and more.

Who We Are

We are an independent, nonprofit research and policy institute that studies the link between education, career qualifications, and workforce demands.

Interactive State Map

Use our interactive map to view state-level research on job projections, the economic value of college majors, sector studies on healthcare, nursing, and STEM.

Resources

Report Overview
January 17, 2024

Learning and Earning by Degrees
Gains in College Degree Attainment Have Enriched the Nation and Every State, but Racial and Gender Inequality Persists

Topic: Economic Value of Credentials & Competencies
Report Overview
November 15, 2023

After Everything
Projections of Jobs, Education, and Training Requirements through 2031

Topic: Job Projections & Education Requirements
Report Overview
June 12, 2023

Race, Elite College Admissions, and the Courts
The Pursuit of Racial Equality in Education Retreats to K-12 Schools

Topic: Economic Value of Credentials & Competencies
Report Overview
May 1, 2023

What Works
Ten Education, Training, and Work-Based Pathway Changes That Lead to Good Jobs

Topic: Economic Value of Credentials & Competencies

Research Topics

Since 2008, we have conducted research related to Jobs, Skills, and Equity to better inform students, parents, teachers, and policymakers about the changing relationship between education and careers.

State and Local Analysis

We produce state-level research on the relationship between education and employment and provide state technical assistance.

Economic and Racial Justice

We study the intersections of education and employment by race, ethnicity, class, and gender to inform educators and policymakers about equity issues.

Education and Workforce Policy

Our research breaks down the policy silos among secondary and postsecondary education, and career pathways.

Non-economic Value of Higher Education

We study the effects of higher education on individual health, crime reduction, family stability, and higher rates of civic engagement.

Economic Value of Credentials & Competencies

We connect cognitive competencies with occupational demands and study the labor market value of two- and four-year degrees, certificate and certifications, and other credentials.

Job Projections & Education Requirements

We analyze the education requirements for jobs in different industries, occupations, and geographic areas.