Michael Itzkowitz
@mitzkow.bsky.social
Founder and President of the HEA Group. Former Director of the College Scorecard @usedgov. Helping ensure value and economic mobility in higher ed.
Two students. Same degree. Same cost. One doubles her income within 6 months. The other struggles to earn more than a high school graduate.
The difference? WHERE they went to school matters more than you think.
My new piece in Washington Monthly.
washingtonmonthly.com/2025/09/02/e...
The difference? WHERE they went to school matters more than you think.
My new piece in Washington Monthly.
washingtonmonthly.com/2025/09/02/e...
50 States, 50 Opportunities for Economic Mobility
Economic mobility by state: where colleges deliver real ROI. Using data, we can see the programs that lift students into the middle class.
washingtonmonthly.com
September 2, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Two students. Same degree. Same cost. One doubles her income within 6 months. The other struggles to earn more than a high school graduate.
The difference? WHERE they went to school matters more than you think.
My new piece in Washington Monthly.
washingtonmonthly.com/2025/09/02/e...
The difference? WHERE they went to school matters more than you think.
My new piece in Washington Monthly.
washingtonmonthly.com/2025/09/02/e...
Join us August 7 for a webinar with Inside Higher Ed on a groundbreaking ROI analysis of 327 California community and career colleges across 12 regions.
This nuanced view is a critical next step in our value & mobility research with College Futures.
👉 access.ihenow.com/golden-retur...
This nuanced view is a critical next step in our value & mobility research with College Futures.
👉 access.ihenow.com/golden-retur...
August 5, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Join us August 7 for a webinar with Inside Higher Ed on a groundbreaking ROI analysis of 327 California community and career colleges across 12 regions.
This nuanced view is a critical next step in our value & mobility research with College Futures.
👉 access.ihenow.com/golden-retur...
This nuanced view is a critical next step in our value & mobility research with College Futures.
👉 access.ihenow.com/golden-retur...
Most undergraduate students in the United States stay close to home – within just 17 miles – for college. And over 2/3 attend college within 50 miles of their house.
Report: ticas.org/wp-content/u...
Report: ticas.org/wp-content/u...
June 23, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Most undergraduate students in the United States stay close to home – within just 17 miles – for college. And over 2/3 attend college within 50 miles of their house.
Report: ticas.org/wp-content/u...
Report: ticas.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Michael Itzkowitz
Great piece from @mitzkow.bsky.social on @hechingerreport.org on the need for publicly available highered data:
"Good data helps policymakers direct resources toward schools that drive economic impact, turning education dollars into long-term growth." #edusky hechingerreport.org/opinion-clam...
"Good data helps policymakers direct resources toward schools that drive economic impact, turning education dollars into long-term growth." #edusky hechingerreport.org/opinion-clam...
OPINION: Clamping down on good, publicly available higher education data will send our system into a dark spiral
Cuts to the Department of Education, including positions that involve data collection and analysis, threaten our domestic progress and could trigger a decline in the very qualities that have made Amer...
hechingerreport.org
June 17, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Great piece from @mitzkow.bsky.social on @hechingerreport.org on the need for publicly available highered data:
"Good data helps policymakers direct resources toward schools that drive economic impact, turning education dollars into long-term growth." #edusky hechingerreport.org/opinion-clam...
"Good data helps policymakers direct resources toward schools that drive economic impact, turning education dollars into long-term growth." #edusky hechingerreport.org/opinion-clam...
Reposted by Michael Itzkowitz
Important op-ed on the critical need for reliable publicly available data to measure college outcomes and track our progress.
"Now is not the time to stop measuring progress or to disinvest in our future."
"Now is not the time to stop measuring progress or to disinvest in our future."
The inability to measure and publish data on college outcomes weakens the U.S' global competitiveness, potentially triggering a decline in the very qualities that have made American higher education the envy of the world.
New op-ed from me @hechingerreport.org.
hechingerreport.org/opinion-clam...
New op-ed from me @hechingerreport.org.
hechingerreport.org/opinion-clam...
OPINION: Clamping down on good, publicly available higher education data will send our system into a dark spiral
Cuts to the Department of Education, including positions that involve data collection and analysis, threaten our domestic progress and could trigger a decline in the very qualities that have made Amer...
hechingerreport.org
June 16, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Important op-ed on the critical need for reliable publicly available data to measure college outcomes and track our progress.
"Now is not the time to stop measuring progress or to disinvest in our future."
"Now is not the time to stop measuring progress or to disinvest in our future."
The inability to measure and publish data on college outcomes weakens the U.S' global competitiveness, potentially triggering a decline in the very qualities that have made American higher education the envy of the world.
New op-ed from me @hechingerreport.org.
hechingerreport.org/opinion-clam...
New op-ed from me @hechingerreport.org.
hechingerreport.org/opinion-clam...
OPINION: Clamping down on good, publicly available higher education data will send our system into a dark spiral
Cuts to the Department of Education, including positions that involve data collection and analysis, threaten our domestic progress and could trigger a decline in the very qualities that have made Amer...
hechingerreport.org
June 16, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The inability to measure and publish data on college outcomes weakens the U.S' global competitiveness, potentially triggering a decline in the very qualities that have made American higher education the envy of the world.
New op-ed from me @hechingerreport.org.
hechingerreport.org/opinion-clam...
New op-ed from me @hechingerreport.org.
hechingerreport.org/opinion-clam...
Reposted by Michael Itzkowitz
OPINION: The inability to measure and publish data on college outcomes weakens the ability of the U.S. to maintain its global position as a leader in higher education: hechingerreport.org/opinion-clam... via @mitzkow.bsky.social
OPINION: Clamping down on good, publicly available higher education data will send our system into a dark spiral
Cuts to the Department of Education, including positions that involve data collection and analysis, threaten our domestic progress and could trigger a decline in the very qualities that have made Amer...
hechingerreport.org
June 16, 2025 at 12:14 PM
OPINION: The inability to measure and publish data on college outcomes weakens the ability of the U.S. to maintain its global position as a leader in higher education: hechingerreport.org/opinion-clam... via @mitzkow.bsky.social
I'm wondering if the time and attention spent by the Administration on Harvard and Columbia may better allocated toward postsecondary education and success for students who attend other institutions.
June 5, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I'm wondering if the time and attention spent by the Administration on Harvard and Columbia may better allocated toward postsecondary education and success for students who attend other institutions.
And for some reason I thought we were supposed to be against the gov trying to control our schools.
I’m not always the biggest fan of the Ivy Leagues, but it takes a lot of political will to push back, and it’s important to see @Harvard do just that.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...
I’m not always the biggest fan of the Ivy Leagues, but it takes a lot of political will to push back, and it’s important to see @Harvard do just that.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...
Trump Administration Will Freeze $2 Billion After Harvard Refuses Demands
Federal officials said they would freeze the money after Harvard said it would not submit to requests to overhaul hiring and report international students who break rules.
www.nytimes.com
April 15, 2025 at 2:34 AM
And for some reason I thought we were supposed to be against the gov trying to control our schools.
I’m not always the biggest fan of the Ivy Leagues, but it takes a lot of political will to push back, and it’s important to see @Harvard do just that.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...
I’m not always the biggest fan of the Ivy Leagues, but it takes a lot of political will to push back, and it’s important to see @Harvard do just that.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/u...
Over the past year, the Education Department's College Scorecard had over two million visits.
It serves as a critical source of information for students and families in determining where they can get the best bang for their educational buck. 1/2
It serves as a critical source of information for students and families in determining where they can get the best bang for their educational buck. 1/2
March 27, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Over the past year, the Education Department's College Scorecard had over two million visits.
It serves as a critical source of information for students and families in determining where they can get the best bang for their educational buck. 1/2
It serves as a critical source of information for students and families in determining where they can get the best bang for their educational buck. 1/2
“The Department was arguably the most efficient government agency.
With 4,200 employees in 2024, it was the smallest cabinet agency by roughly a factor of two. Yet its annual $79 billion appropriation was the fourth largest…”
www.slowboring.com/p/what-the-d...
With 4,200 employees in 2024, it was the smallest cabinet agency by roughly a factor of two. Yet its annual $79 billion appropriation was the fourth largest…”
www.slowboring.com/p/what-the-d...
What the Department of Education actually does
America’s least understood and most efficient agency, explained
www.slowboring.com
March 18, 2025 at 12:43 PM
“The Department was arguably the most efficient government agency.
With 4,200 employees in 2024, it was the smallest cabinet agency by roughly a factor of two. Yet its annual $79 billion appropriation was the fourth largest…”
www.slowboring.com/p/what-the-d...
With 4,200 employees in 2024, it was the smallest cabinet agency by roughly a factor of two. Yet its annual $79 billion appropriation was the fourth largest…”
www.slowboring.com/p/what-the-d...
Reposted by Michael Itzkowitz
Preparing Californians for the future of work is an economic imperative. Eloy Ortiz Oakley, president & CEO of College Futures Foundation, shares more about the opportunities ahead: buff.ly/mr6990l.
#TheRant #CAMobilityIndex #EconomicMobility
#TheRant #CAMobilityIndex #EconomicMobility
✂️ The Opportunity for the Ecosystem
59 seconds · Clipped by College Futures Foundation · Original video "Navigating the Next Four Years with Michael Itzkowitz" by Eloy Oakley
youtube.com
March 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Preparing Californians for the future of work is an economic imperative. Eloy Ortiz Oakley, president & CEO of College Futures Foundation, shares more about the opportunities ahead: buff.ly/mr6990l.
#TheRant #CAMobilityIndex #EconomicMobility
#TheRant #CAMobilityIndex #EconomicMobility
Many of today's private institutions have really mastered the art of discounting. Essentially, they first say "Look at how much we actually cost! We are really expensive, so we must be super high quality!"...1/3
March 3, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Many of today's private institutions have really mastered the art of discounting. Essentially, they first say "Look at how much we actually cost! We are really expensive, so we must be super high quality!"...1/3
I’m excited to share news about our latest collaboration with College Futures Foundation: the launch of the California Mobility Index, a groundbreaking new ranking system for four-year institutions that reimagines how we measure higher education success. 1/5
collegefutures.org/california-m...
collegefutures.org/california-m...
4-Year California Mobility Index - College Futures Foundation
Read more >
collegefutures.org
February 20, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I’m excited to share news about our latest collaboration with College Futures Foundation: the launch of the California Mobility Index, a groundbreaking new ranking system for four-year institutions that reimagines how we measure higher education success. 1/5
collegefutures.org/california-m...
collegefutures.org/california-m...
Over the past 30 days, the US Department of Education's College Scorecard has received over 215,000 visits — a rate much higher than average.
February 13, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Over the past 30 days, the US Department of Education's College Scorecard has received over 215,000 visits — a rate much higher than average.
Look, there’s a lot going on right now. Like a lot a lot.
That being said, no matter where you sit, there is something we can all agree upon: We must do more to ensure college is worth it for all students.
More from me & EloyOakley.
edsource.org/2024/we-must...
That being said, no matter where you sit, there is something we can all agree upon: We must do more to ensure college is worth it for all students.
More from me & EloyOakley.
edsource.org/2024/we-must...
We must do more to ensure college is worth it for all students
Let's talk about what college is worth and how to improve its value, especially for low- and moderate-income learners.
edsource.org
February 7, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Look, there’s a lot going on right now. Like a lot a lot.
That being said, no matter where you sit, there is something we can all agree upon: We must do more to ensure college is worth it for all students.
More from me & EloyOakley.
edsource.org/2024/we-must...
That being said, no matter where you sit, there is something we can all agree upon: We must do more to ensure college is worth it for all students.
More from me & EloyOakley.
edsource.org/2024/we-must...
We have a lot of things we can worry about in #highered, but the path to economic success and continued global competitiveness should remain at the top of our minds.
Everyone is entitled to a living wage through higher ed, but it's not always offered.
www.theheagroup.com/blog/ensurin...
Everyone is entitled to a living wage through higher ed, but it's not always offered.
www.theheagroup.com/blog/ensurin...
Ensuring a Living Wage Through Higher Education — The HEA Group
In this paper, we examine the economic outcomes that students obtain by pursuing a postsecondary credential within the United States. Specifically, we look at several minimal economic benchmarks to se...
www.theheagroup.com
February 4, 2025 at 3:20 PM
We have a lot of things we can worry about in #highered, but the path to economic success and continued global competitiveness should remain at the top of our minds.
Everyone is entitled to a living wage through higher ed, but it's not always offered.
www.theheagroup.com/blog/ensurin...
Everyone is entitled to a living wage through higher ed, but it's not always offered.
www.theheagroup.com/blog/ensurin...
In case you were wondering, no, the Trump Administration’s federal aid pause does not extend to student loans or Pell grants (yet). @nytimes.com @ronlieber.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/b...
Federal Spending Freeze Does Not Apply to Student Loans and Pell Grants
Students and parents panicked after news of the order, but the Education Department said the guidance would not stop the flow of money to students and schools.
www.nytimes.com
January 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM
In case you were wondering, no, the Trump Administration’s federal aid pause does not extend to student loans or Pell grants (yet). @nytimes.com @ronlieber.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/b...
Reposted by Michael Itzkowitz
🦋 Hello, world!
Welcome to our Bluesky page! Here, you'll find out about our efforts and initiatives to inform important policies related to educating students and preparing workers for a future without limits.
Please follow, share—and stay tuned!
Welcome to our Bluesky page! Here, you'll find out about our efforts and initiatives to inform important policies related to educating students and preparing workers for a future without limits.
Please follow, share—and stay tuned!
January 27, 2025 at 5:14 PM
🦋 Hello, world!
Welcome to our Bluesky page! Here, you'll find out about our efforts and initiatives to inform important policies related to educating students and preparing workers for a future without limits.
Please follow, share—and stay tuned!
Welcome to our Bluesky page! Here, you'll find out about our efforts and initiatives to inform important policies related to educating students and preparing workers for a future without limits.
Please follow, share—and stay tuned!
As a former UF student, I love talking with the Independent Florida Alligator.
Florida is conducting a ROI study on Women's Studies majors, but I don't think they'll find what they're looking for. Salaries top $50,000 for those with this degree at UF.
Article 👉 www.alligator.org/article/2025...
Florida is conducting a ROI study on Women's Studies majors, but I don't think they'll find what they're looking for. Salaries top $50,000 for those with this degree at UF.
Article 👉 www.alligator.org/article/2025...
January 24, 2025 at 4:57 PM
As a former UF student, I love talking with the Independent Florida Alligator.
Florida is conducting a ROI study on Women's Studies majors, but I don't think they'll find what they're looking for. Salaries top $50,000 for those with this degree at UF.
Article 👉 www.alligator.org/article/2025...
Florida is conducting a ROI study on Women's Studies majors, but I don't think they'll find what they're looking for. Salaries top $50,000 for those with this degree at UF.
Article 👉 www.alligator.org/article/2025...
Unsurprisingly, today, the US Department of Education announced many senior staff from the America First Policy Institute where Linda McMahon previously served as Board Chair.
January 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Unsurprisingly, today, the US Department of Education announced many senior staff from the America First Policy Institute where Linda McMahon previously served as Board Chair.
A few weeks ago, I published completion data for some of the largest online colleges in the US.
Today, @insidehighered.com covered it.
Should we deem it OK for online programs to show much lower completion rates for the students they enroll?
www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-in...
Today, @insidehighered.com covered it.
Should we deem it OK for online programs to show much lower completion rates for the students they enroll?
www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-in...
At large online colleges, students struggle to earn degrees
Fewer than half of students at the largest nonprofit online institutions earn a degree after eight years. Is it an unfortunate reality or a cry for accountability?
www.insidehighered.com
January 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A few weeks ago, I published completion data for some of the largest online colleges in the US.
Today, @insidehighered.com covered it.
Should we deem it OK for online programs to show much lower completion rates for the students they enroll?
www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-in...
Today, @insidehighered.com covered it.
Should we deem it OK for online programs to show much lower completion rates for the students they enroll?
www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-in...
With the number of high school graduates declining, and 72% of future jobs requiring some sort of postsecondary education by 2031, we need to ensure better:
👉Access
👉Completion
👉Outcomes
If we wish to remain globally competitive, we need a strong postsecondary system.
👉Access
👉Completion
👉Outcomes
If we wish to remain globally competitive, we need a strong postsecondary system.
January 8, 2025 at 5:39 AM
With the number of high school graduates declining, and 72% of future jobs requiring some sort of postsecondary education by 2031, we need to ensure better:
👉Access
👉Completion
👉Outcomes
If we wish to remain globally competitive, we need a strong postsecondary system.
👉Access
👉Completion
👉Outcomes
If we wish to remain globally competitive, we need a strong postsecondary system.
Ivy League institutions are small.
If they wanted to show their commitment to increasing economic opportunity, all eight of them would only need to enroll an additional 682 Pell Grant students in order to see a 5% across the board increase.
Report: www.theheagroup.com/blog/ivy-lea...
If they wanted to show their commitment to increasing economic opportunity, all eight of them would only need to enroll an additional 682 Pell Grant students in order to see a 5% across the board increase.
Report: www.theheagroup.com/blog/ivy-lea...
December 20, 2024 at 3:44 PM
Ivy League institutions are small.
If they wanted to show their commitment to increasing economic opportunity, all eight of them would only need to enroll an additional 682 Pell Grant students in order to see a 5% across the board increase.
Report: www.theheagroup.com/blog/ivy-lea...
If they wanted to show their commitment to increasing economic opportunity, all eight of them would only need to enroll an additional 682 Pell Grant students in order to see a 5% across the board increase.
Report: www.theheagroup.com/blog/ivy-lea...