Pennsylvania launches higher education dashboards to track workforce trends

May 20, 2026 - 17:17

The Pennsylvania State Board of Education has rolled out a set of statewide higher-education data dashboards designed to track how well colleges and universities are preparing students for the workforce. The new tools aim to give policymakers, educators, and the public a clearer picture of employment outcomes, graduation rates, and salary trends across the commonwealth.

The dashboards compile data from public and private institutions, showing which fields of study lead to the highest-paying jobs and where graduates tend to settle after earning their degrees. Officials say the initiative is meant to help students make informed decisions about their education and to help schools adjust their programs to meet labor market demands.

One key feature is the ability to compare outcomes by region, which could highlight gaps between urban and rural areas. The data also breaks down earnings by degree level, from certificates to advanced degrees. State education leaders hope the dashboards will encourage more transparency and accountability, especially as the cost of college continues to rise and employers struggle to find skilled workers.

The launch comes amid a broader push in Pennsylvania to align higher education with economic needs. While the dashboards do not include every metric critics might want, such as student debt loads or job satisfaction, they represent a step toward data-driven decision-making. The board plans to update the information annually to keep it relevant.