Trends in Higher Education

Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHEWD) (Opens in new tab)

The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) helps people across the state get the education and job training they need to succeed. MDHEWD brings together college planning, career support, and workforce programs under one agency. It works with schools, businesses, and government leaders to ensure Missourians have access to college, scholarships, apprenticeships, and job opportunities.

Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) (Opens in new tab)

The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) provides data and insights about Missouri’s economy. They study things like employment, wages, cost of living, and business trends across the state. MERIC helps government leaders, businesses, and communities make informed decisions by offering reports, maps, and tools that explain how industries are changing and where opportunities are growing.

Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) (Opens in new tab)

The Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) is an advocacy group representing all 12 community colleges in Missouri. MCCA focuses on four main areas: speaking up for colleges in government (advocacy), offering training and learning opportunities (education), sharing important updates (information), and helping people connect and share ideas (networking). Even though each college is independent, MCCA brings them together to support students and communities throughout the state.

United States Department of Education (ED) (Opens in new tab)

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is a federal agency that helps ensure all students have access to quality education. ED provides financial aid for college students, helps schools in low-income areas, and supports programs for students with disabilities. It also protects students’ civil rights and collects data to improve education policies.

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) (Opens in new tab)

Within the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal agency responsible for collecting and sharing educational data. NCES gathers information from schools, colleges, and other education programs to help people understand how students are doing, how schools are run, and what trends are shaping education.

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (Opens in new tab)

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is a national program run by the U.S. Department of Education. IPEDS gathers data on things like enrollment, graduation rates, tuition costs, financial aid, and student success. Schools that receive federal financial aid must report this data every year. The information helps students, families, educators, and government leaders understand how schools are performing and make better decisions about education and policy.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (Opens in new tab)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a government agency that collects and shares important information about jobs, wages, prices, and working conditions in the United States. It helps people understand how the economy is doing by tracking things like unemployment rates, inflation, and job growth.

Higher Learning Commission (HLC) (Opens in new tab)

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent organization ensuring colleges and universities in the U.S. meet high standards of quality. Founded in 1895, HLC accredits degree-granting institutions by reviewing how well they teach, support students, and manage resources. HLC also provides training, guidance, and support as schools grow and adapt to changes in higher education.

Mid-America Association for Institutional Research (MidAIR) (Opens in new tab)

The Mid-America Association for Institutional Research (MidAIR) is a regional professional organization affiliated with the global organization Association for Institutional Research and is dedicated to improving and sharing research of interest to institutions of higher education.

Association for Institutional Research (AIR)

The Association for Institutional Research (AIR) is a global organization helping college and university professionals improve student success and strengthen higher education by encouraging the ethical and effective use of data and analytics.

National Community College Benchmarking Project (NCCBP)

The National Community College Benchmark Project (NCCBP) helps community colleges across the country measure how well they are serving students on things such as cost, student satisfaction, course success, graduation rates, and transfer rates.

Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE)

Based out of the University of Texas, the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) helps community and technical colleges improve student success by studying how students experience college. CCCSE uses surveys, focus groups, and educational research to understand how students remain engaged and succeed.

Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL)

Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL) provides resources to assist colleges and nonprofit organizations in improving student enrollment, success, satisfaction, and relationships with alumni and donors.