Improving the IPEDS Student Average Net Price to be More Relevant for Consumers (2023)
This paper examines the limitations of the current IPEDS Student Average Net Price metric and propose data-driven solutions to better inform consumers—particularly students and families from low-income and marginalized backgrounds—about the true cost of attending college. These recommendations align with #RealCollege’s mission to address critical challenges like food and housing insecurity, child care, transportation, and other basic needs that frequently impact students’ ability to afford higher education.