Photo: Shawn Spence

Zipporah Sowell is among a new generation of students that Tuskegee University and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities are encouraging to pursue degrees related to the environment and sustainability.

The effort is clearly worthwhile, especially since research shows that Black and brown communities are disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of climate change.

Illustration: Brian O'Leary

Starting in March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency, Americans with federal student loans did not have to make any payments. But, after more than three years and numerous extensions, required payments began earlier this month. That’s generating fresh talk about the nearly $1.8 trillion in student debt that Americans carry.

So how much should a person go into debt for college? Results from a national survey offer a glimpse into how everyday Americans think about student debt.

Students looking to gain new skills have a staggering number of options they can pursue these days. About 1.1 million credentials are available in the United States, and some three-fifths of those are from non-academic providers.

In response, some colleges are searching for ways to embed alternative credentials into their existing programs by joining forces with outside groups. But it’s difficult for college leaders to assess whether those potential partners provide value to their students. The Higher Learning Commission's Credential Lab aims to help.