As part of the Brookings Scholar Lecture Series, Brookings Mountain West presented a lecture titled "Making College Worth It: Inequalities In Higher Education and How to Solve Them" by Brookings fellow in governance studies, Katharine Meyer.

Most students who graduate from college go on to earn higher wages, have more employment stability, and enjoy better health. While posted tuitions are high, a “high price, high aid” approach to college pricing means that the average cost of college has actually declined in recent years. Yet, public confidence in higher education is at an all-time low. What explains this tension? Who gains from going to college and who does not? What can colleges do to change perceptions about the value of a college education? This lecture by Brookings Institution scholar Katharine Meyer highlighted trends in college enrollment and completion and offered solutions for how states can hold colleges accountable and align student support with the needs of the 21st century learner.