Pricing and Trust: A Trustee’s Role in Closing the Confidence Gap

What happens when students and families value higher education but struggle to understand what it will actually cost? In-depth Strada research with prospective and current students, their parents, adult learners, and the general public (the Price Transparency Imperative) found that confusing pricing and financial aid complexity widen the confidence gap between institutions and the students they serve. Trustees can use these insights to ask sharper questions, encourage clearer communication, and help their institutions close that gap with more transparent, predictable approaches to affordability.

Key takeaways:

• Learn how cost confusion and financial aid complexity widen the confidence gap between colleges and universities and the families they serve.
• Explore how clearer, more predictable pricing can close that gap and strengthen trust and confidence among students and families.
• Identify ways boards can encourage institutional leadership on transparency, affordability, and communicating value.

Speakers:

James Ward, vice president, research, Strada Education Foundation
Justin Draeger, senior vice president, affordability, and interim senior vice president, federal government relations, Strada Education Foundation