More families are thinking hard about the value proposition that colleges offer. Leaders have had to keep tuition down—freezing or even reducing it.

Student-athletes only have been able to accept payments from companies outside their universities, but this summer new rules will go into effect giving schools the option to pay athletes directly.

The unemployment gap is partly due to the increase in competition and changing employer expectations, said David Deming, professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. “What you’re seeing is a consequence of the success we’ve had in educating more people."

A bill aimed at tamping down perceived liberal bias at Ohio colleges that failed last legislative session is back and the newest version contains more requirements for schools.