Legislation would require NJ public institutions of higher education to post key degree completion metrics and fiscal accountability reports online

(TRENTON) — Assemblywoman Linda Carter's legislation calling for greater transparency across New Jersey’s public universities passed the General Assembly today. Bill A3581 aims to provide students and families with clearer insights into degree completion timelines, institutional performance, and fiscal oversight by requiring universities to post certain information regarding financial accountability and student outcomes on their websites. Assemblywoman Annette Quijano also sponsored the legislation.

“This legislation would ensure that students and parents have clear access to the essential information they need to make the best decisions for their educational future,” said Assemblywoman Carter (D-Somerset, Union). “By strengthening transparency across our public higher education institutions, we would be empowering New Jersey families and supporting students as they evaluate their pathways to a degree.”

Under the bill, four-year public institutions of higher education would be required to publish the average time-to-degree completion for each baccalaureate program. For county colleges, the bill would direct institutions to publish an appropriate measure of student outcomes, as determined by the Secretary of Higher Education in consultation with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, for each associate degree program.

“When higher education is one of the biggest investments a family will ever make, transparency is not optional,” said Assemblywoman Quijano (D-Union). “This bill reinforces the public’s ability to evaluate the value of a degree and reaffirms our responsibility to maintain high standards of fiscal stewardship.”

The legislation would also improve fiscal transparency by requiring public institutions of higher education to post both their annual fiscal monitoring report and any comprehensive audit required by State law. Institutions would be required to provide the Secretary of Higher Education with a direct website link to these documents each year and publish a clear and understandable summary for the public.