IHEP Celebrates Senate HELP Committee’s Bipartisan Vote to Advance College Transparency Act
Published Jul 30, 2026
Washington, DC (July 30, 2026) – The Senate HELP Committee voted today to pass the College Transparency Act, a bill to create a secure, privacy-protected student-level data network that would, for the first time, provide outcome data on all students. IHEP President & CEO Mamie Voight issued the following statement:
“The Senate HELP Committee delivered a significant victory for students, families, colleges, and policymakers by passing the College Transparency Act with strong bipartisan support.
“For more than ten years, IHEP has explored how to build a student-level data network that maximizes improved data alongside strong privacy protections. That work is grounded in a consistent finding from our research: existing federal data systems are incomplete and disconnected, making it difficult for students and families to access the timely, accurate information they deserve about where they’re investing their time and money. Even with recent improvements in federal data, students and families lack complete information. One in three students—those not receiving federal aid—is not included in federal data about postsecondary outcomes. That is unacceptable.”
“Complete data serves multiple critical purposes. It helps students make informed decisions about where to enroll and what to study, enables colleges to drive continuous improvement in their programs and strengthen student outcomes, and provides policymakers the evidence needed to determine whether investments in higher education are achieving their intended results.”
“The Committee’s bipartisan vote is a tremendous milestone and demonstrates that the College Transparency Act is a solution that resonates across the political spectrum. The momentum is undeniable. Now the full Senate must seize this opportunity and bring the College Transparency Act to a vote without delay.”
###
