Delivering on the Promise: Access, Affordability, and Career Readiness

Rising tuition costs, political debates, and questions about return on investment have put higher education in the spotlight. Families are weighing value more carefully than ever, with more than 60 percent now rating the degree as "medium" or "low" in worth. ¹ This scrutiny underscores the urgency for colleges and universities to show how education can remain both accessible and life-changing.

The opportunity is clear: by keeping affordability front and center, expanding access to career readiness support, and aligning programs with student expectations, colleges and universities can strengthen trust and demonstrate impact. Moving beyond the political noise, higher ed can reaffirm its role as a foundation for personal growth, workforce preparation, and long-term opportunity.

The New Student Mindset

Today's students are arriving with clear expectations that education should not only inspire, but also prepare them for meaningful careers. About 4 in 10 students say colleges should prepare them for a specific job or career, while 3 in 10 prioritize core skills such as critical thinking. ² But when asked if their institution is actually delivering, fewer students feel confident: 58 percent of students say college should lead to a career that pays well, but only 40 percent feel their school is preparing them for that outcome.³

This isn't about curriculum shortcomings; it's about a career readiness gap. Institutions are teaching valuable skills, but students often struggle to translate their learning into career language. That disconnect erodes confidence in higher education’s ability to deliver on its value proposition.

By integrating visible, early, and consistent career preparation, schools can close this gap, helping students connect what they're learning to where they want to go.

Access, Affordability, and Institutional Identity

Rising tuition costs and the politicization of higher education are putting additional pressure on institutions. Trust in higher education continues to decline, with concerns centered on affordability and misalignment with workforce needs. At the same time, students are selecting colleges not only for academics, but for the full student experience, including whether they'll be supported all the way through to career launch.

That means access isn't just about opening the door, it's about ensuring that once students arrive, they're supported with resources that build confidence, reduce costs, and expand opportunity.

Bridging the Gap to the Workforce

The challenge isn't talent—it's alignment. Employers increasingly expect graduates to arrive job-ready, but the numbers tell a different story: 96 percent of HR leaders say colleges need to take more responsibility for workforce preparation, ⁴ and unemployment for recent graduates has climbed to 5.8 percent, well above the national average.⁵

Meanwhile, students are asking for more. In a fall 2023 survey by the National Association for Colleges and Employers, 92 percent of faculty have reported that a student in their disciplinary area asked for career advice, but only half of faculty felt comfortable giving it. ⁶ By making skills development available and more visible earlier, colleges can close the opportunity gap, improve student outcomes, and strengthen the ROI of a degree.

Where a Flat-Fee, Campus-Wide Model Helps

Kaplan's All Access License® was designed with access and affordability for the student in mind. Institutions select the courses that match their priorities and provide universal student access for a single, predictable fee. The result is broader reach with less administrative lift.

Examples of what it can include:

• Admissions Test Prep: GRE®, LSAT®, MCAT®, GMAT™

• Licensure Support: NCLEX®, Praxis®, FE, and others

• Credential Prep: CFA®, SIE, and additional professional certifications

• Skill-Building: critical thinking, project management, data literacy

Why this approach resonates across perspectives:

• It expands access to high-quality test prep without shifting costs to students.

• It supports career readiness and workforce initiatives that matter to local economies.

• It offers a clear rationale for ROI on higher education through usage, outcomes, and student satisfaction.

Reaffirming the Value of the Degree

Students are choosing schools not just for academics, but for the confidence that they’ll be supported into their desired career. By aligning affordability with career readiness, institutions position themselves as partners in every stage of a student's journey. In doing so, they strengthen trust in higher education as a place where students can grow, build networks, and prepare for meaningful careers. Learn how Kaplan's All Access License can support your student success strategy.