These are a few important areas to watch in higher education, though there are many other topics to investigate. How does your campus compare with others on these big issues?

• Rising costs of education: Are the rising costs of education justified? Are universities masking student tuition increases through creating and increasing other fees? How are tuition and fee increases affecting enrollment and success rates among various groups at universities?
• Athletic department spending versus educational spending: How much are universities investing in athletics as opposed to education? What kind of scholarships are offered for athletic versus academic achievement?
• Graduation rates: How successful are college graduation rates as compared with three or five years ago? What factors are affecting graduation rates? What are the graduation rates for various groups?
• Pay and perks for college administration: How much are the top people getting paid? How is student tuition distributed among coaches, professors, presidents, etc.?