How to Hold Colleges Accountable?

Accountable for what? They could tell you the graduation rate was 99%, and it might be, but if you are in the 1%, how will that make the school accountable for anything?

Some schools can set any rules they want or ignore any rules they want, and people will still be lining up to get in. Harvard could tell you that 80% of the students take 5 years to graduate, only 75% are employed after 6 months, the refund policy is to refund nothing, and still people would line up and claw over little old ladies in line to get in.

You do need to know what you are buying, and in some cases comparing, but I don’t think knowing the safety record is going to change anyone’s mind. The crime rate in NYC can be high, but people still want to go to NYU and Columbia , U of Chicago isn’t hurting for students, USC and UCLA are still turning them away.

You should ask about things most important to you and your student.