Nearly seven months before the November election, a plurality of Americans favor Barack Obama to tackle what they consider the most pressing issue in higher education: the runaway cost of a bachelor's degree. According to a new nationwide survey conducted through The Chronicle/Gallup Panel, 42 percent of Americans think that controlling college…

According to this year's National Survey of Student Engagement, attending more than one college is increasingly common, and transfer students tend to be disconnected from and overlooked on their new campuses. More than 40 percent of seniors who responded to the survey had started at different institutions, according to the report. Compared with…

This article reports that the nation's highest-compensated college chief is David J. Sargent, Suffolk University's veteran president, according to The Chronicle's latest survey of executive pay. Mr. Sargent's total compensation of $2,800,461 in 2006-2007 topped that of 784 presidents of public and private universities, as well as of 64 community…

Many states, and the United States as a whole, are doing a better job than they were two years ago of preparing students for college and expanding access to higher education, according to a national report card on higher education released last week. But the country continues to slip behind other nations on measures of enrollment and degree…

George D. Kuh has directed the National Survey of Student Engagement since it began. Over the past eight years, the survey has collected a vast amount of data on how students learn and grow. It has promoted successful practices like learning communities, in which students take courses that focus on a theme, and culminating projects like theses and…

This article reports the split of Americans on requiring students to take more courses in math and science. In a survey findings released by the American Council on Education, Americans are divided about whether college students need to study more mathematics and science to preserve America's global economic competitiveness. According to David…

This article reports on a new national survey showing that state spending on higher education is continuing to rise throughout most of the nation and growing faster in much of the South. Total state general-fund appropriations for higher education are up by 7 percent, to $72.18-billion, in the current 2006-2007 fiscal year, according to an annual…

The first Survey of Public Opinion on Higher Education shows that the United States' faith in the value of college remains strong, despite misgivings about some longstanding practices. (EV)

Discusses how colleges are praising the new National Survey of Student Engagement, but insist that institutional scores be kept private. (EV)

Reports findings of a 1999 survey of 261,217 college freshmen at 462 two-year and four-year institutions concerning lifestyle and stress. Finds increasing numbers of students, especially women, report feeling overwhelmed and under stress. Also reports declines in drinking and smoking, more students planning to work full-time, more students…

Data tables from a 1999 survey of college freshmen provide extensive data concerning demography (e.g., parental occupation, family income), reasons for college choice, college major plans for men and women, financial status, frequent activities, high school grades, opinions and goals, (DB)

Presents data from the annual "Survey of Earned Doctorates" showing slightly increased numbers of doctoral degrees awarded in 1998, increased diversity in doctorate recipients, and declines in number of non-U.S. citizens earning doctorates. Tables and graphs show recipients by sex and ethnicity, characteristics of recipients by broad field,…

Presents data from institutional tax forms for the pay and benefits of key personnel at 475 private colleges and universities for 1996-97 and 1997-98. Institutions are grouped by Carnegie Classification and listings typically include data for six positions, such as the president, highest paid faculty member, a senior vice president, and chief…

A survey of 33,785 faculty in 378 colleges and universities found nearly one-third were 55 or older, compared with one-quarter a decade ago. Over the same period, the proportion of faculty under 45 has fallen from 41% to 34%. While more women are in academe, ethnic diversification has not progressed. The survey also examined attitudes toward…

Summarizes data from a survey of 33,785 faculty at 378 colleges and universities, including demographic characteristics, employment patterns, credentials, salary, publishing and professional activity patterns, teaching load and activities, political and professional attitudes, sources of stress, and attitudes about teaching. (MSE)