Alumni want to know that the value of their degree is higher today than it was when they got the degree and that the university is doing things that will cause that value to be even higher in the future. The definition for value will vary from institution to institution but this theme is very consistent for all of the 135 universities and colleges for which we have data.

For example, at some schools value is about school rank, while at others it is more focused on relationships with faculty or accomplishments of students, and for others it is about campus aesthetics (physical plant).   (more…)