skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, February 7, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Judge pauses deadline for federal workers to accept Trump's resignation offer; CA state lawmakers take action to enact safeguards against federal immigration enforcement; Study shows air quality disparities from industrial ag in NC.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

The TX college conundrum: Long-term vs. short-term rewards

play audio
Play

Monday, February 19, 2024   

Texas is making progress in the percentage of individuals who complete higher levels of education, but still lags behind the national average.

College graduates typically earn more and have lower unemployment rates than workers with only a high school diploma.

But increased costs paired with student debt has some parents and students wondering if it's the right path for them.

Journalist Nick Fouriezos covers the role of college in rural America for Open Campus.

"The cost-benefit analysis changes when you have such a higher percentage of a person's eventual earnings being taken up by student loans," said Fouriezos. "There's just no doubt about it, that they have to think in those terms, 'Is this going to pay off for me?' "

According to Lumina Foundation, the national education attainment rate among adults 25 to 64 years old reached just over 54% in 2022 - the most recent year for which data is available.

The Texas rate was 50.5%, with the state working toward a goal of 60% for working-age adults by 2030.

Experts say those debating whether a four-year program, community college, professional certificate program or a trade school makes the most sense should first consider what loans and scholarships are available.

Texas Tribune education reporter Sneha Dey said families she talks to about the issue also weigh the pros and cons of immediate versus delayed advantages.

"They're not just thinking about the tuition that they have to put down, but they're also considering is this pressure that they face to make money right away," said Dey. "So, when you go to college you are also deferring the immediate wages you could be making from these near-minimum wage jobs."

Some U.S. colleges have stepped up to mentor local high school students and are finding other creative ways to engage with their local communities through partnerships and community service.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
In the latest analysis of U.S. Department of Labor data by state, Maryland took first place as the worst state for wage theft, owing on average more than $2,200 to workers. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

Virginia ranks third behind only Maryland and Delaware among the worst states for the average amount of back wages companies owe to their workers…


Environment

play sound

Some North Dakota school districts are part of a movement that has embraced electric school buses, but the federal funding shakeup carried out by the …

Social Issues

play sound

Immigrant advocates in Florida are ramping up efforts to help families navigate President Donald Trump's new immigration orders, which have increased …


Gov. Kathy Hochul's free community college proposal would apply to people pursuing first-time associate degrees for jobs in high-demand fields, including nursing, teaching, technology and engineering. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

New York State is making historic higher education investments. As part of the 2026 budget proposal, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes free community …

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed state budget includes a significant increase for public education to address Pennsylvania's school funding issues and …

Health and Wellness

play sound

Consumer advocates in Maine said the availability of enhanced subsidies have helped record numbers of people get the health care coverage they need…

play sound

The negative effects on air quality from industrialized animal facilities in North Carolina stick around for a long time, according to a new study…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021