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Last week, President Barack Obama proposed a plan to develop a rating system of colleges to help lower costs for students.

The system would rate schools based on "metrics like how much debt does the average student leave with, how easy is it to pay off, how many students graduate on time, how well do those graduates do in the workforce,'' 

 at the University at Buffalo Aug 22. "The answers will help parents and students figure out how much value a college truly offers."

Supporters of the plan say it would give potential college students and their families more information to help them make decisions and encourage schools to lower their costs for better ratings.

Despite their strong support for the president  during his election campaigns, college faculty members expressed disappointment in the plan, 

Polite Reception For Obama College Cost Plan Belies Hurdles


"The Obama proposal is likely to be controversial in academia because it would create yet another ranking system (move over, U.S. News & World Report). Such rankings have come under withering criticism from inside and outside the academic community." (NPR)


"Additional data is always welcome. The more rankings the better." (Real Clear Politics)

Obama's Very Smart and Utterly Hopeless Plan to Make College Cheaper


"The White House wants to tie federal aid to educational results and affordability. Too bad it doesn't stand a chance in Congress." (The Atlantic)

Everything you need to know about Obama's higher ed plan

Gallery

President Barack Obama proposed a plan last week to develop a rating system of colleges to help lower costs for students. But is it enough to drive down the cost of higher education for Americans?

Obama's college affordability plan gets mixed reviews

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