The push to gather data about colleges’ performance and student outcomes must come from the states, which provide more than $100-billion annually for higher education and enroll nearly three-quarters of all undergraduates at public two- and four-year institutions, recommends a new report from Education Sector.

The group, an independent think tank, released today a comprehensive analysis of what data states collect and how they use that information to develop policy or appropriate money.

The analysis found that although many states collect some information to gauge colleges’ success, no state is considering all of the available data, and few come close. And states do very little with the data they collect, rather than using them to inform policy decisions, the report concludes.

“Some states link funding levels with student outcomes, set specific performance goals for higher-education leaders, and empower prospective students with information to use in choosing colleges,” the report says. “But most states simply gather accountability information and make it available without any clear plan for making it meaningful.” —Eric Kelderman