Tracking Postsecondary-to-Workforce Outcomes: An Overview of State Data Systems in the Midwest
State policymakers, agencies, and families are increasingly interested in understanding what happens to students after they leave or graduate from college. Post-college outcomes – including whether students pursue further education, successfully enter the workforce, or move out of the state – are essential for evaluating the return on public and private investments in higher education and informing state higher education policy.
This report synthesizes findings from interviews with officials in 11 Midwest states to better understand how states currently track post-college outcomes and to identify potential opportunities for improving state data capabilities in monitoring postsecondary and workforce outcomes within and across states. It focuses on intrastate, cross-state, and national data sources used for student tracking.
The report finds that while all states use intrastate data sources for tracking students’ education pathways and in-state employment, utilization of cross-state and national sources for workforce outcomes is inconsistent. Study tracking systems vary widely across states, as do funding structures for these tracking systems. And despite relatively strong in-state tracking capabilities, states face systemic challenges in capturing complete post-college outcomes.
The report also offers policy options for sustainable funding, cross-agency data integration and governance, PSEO engagement, regional coordination, and more.
