Summary of HR 4806 - College Transparency Act

Overview

The College Transparency Act (HR 4806) was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 29, 2025. The primary aim of the bill is to enhance transparency in higher education by improving the availability and accessibility of data related to college outcomes for students, families, and policymakers.

Purpose and Intent

The main purpose of the College Transparency Act is to provide prospective students and their families with better information about college performance, including graduation rates, employment outcomes, and student debt levels. By doing so, the bill seeks to empower students to make informed decisions regarding their higher education choices.

Key Provisions

The College Transparency Act includes several significant provisions:

• Data Collection and Reporting: The bill mandates the establishment of a comprehensive student-level data system that tracks student enrollment, completion, transfer, and employment outcomes across institutions.

• Accessibility of Information: Institutions of higher education will be required to report data on student outcomes in a standardized format, making it easier for students and families to compare colleges.

• Privacy Protections: The legislation includes provisions to ensure that student data is protected and used solely for the purposes of improving educational outcomes and transparency.

• Collaboration with Federal Agencies: The bill calls for collaboration between the Department of Education and other federal agencies to ensure that the data collected is accurate and useful.

Who Would Be Affected

The College Transparency Act would impact:

• Prospective Students and Families: By providing clearer and more accessible information about colleges, students and their families can make better-informed decisions regarding their education.

• Higher Education Institutions: Colleges and universities will need to comply with new reporting requirements, which may involve changes to their data management practices.

• Policymakers: The availability of comprehensive data will assist policymakers in making informed decisions regarding higher education funding and policy.

Legislative Process and Timeline

• Introduced: July 29, 2025
• Referred to Committee: The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce for further consideration.

Sponsors

The College Transparency Act is sponsored by Raja Krishnamoorthi and has several cosponsors, including:

• Scott H. Peters
• Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
• Brad Sherman
• Mike Kelly
• Suzanne Bonamici
• Brian K. Fitzpatrick
• Mikie Sherrill
• Joaquin Castro

Related Legislation

The College Transparency Act has a companion bill in the Senate, S 2511, which aims to achieve similar goals regarding transparency in higher education.

This summary provides a clear understanding of the College Transparency Act, its objectives, and its implications for students, educational institutions, and policymakers.