Public Policy Research & Analysis

June 2009 Interview with Sarah Flanagan (13 min)

“The sense of change portrayed in the media is real and in sync with the experience inside the beltway.  Colleges are on the front burner.  After all, Michelle Obama was the VP for community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center until this January, and Barack Obama taught at UC Law School for 12 years.”

Sarah Flanagan, Head of Government Relations
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
2009 Summer Seminar

Hardwick-Day pioneered statewide research in family finance and higher education funding at the Minnesota Private College Council. This was replicated in Oregon and the findings were similar to those in Minnesota: the most affluent student population in the state was found at the flagship public institution. This informs our understanding of how parents respond to price and position, the role state policy plays in student choice and institutional finance, and the ways in which colleges can compete more effectively with increasingly aggressive competitors.

Contact Jim Day.

Messages from Jim Day

Jim’s favorite words are “arcane” and “idiosyncratic.” Jim writes to clients when he has something to say. Messages are posted here later for all to read. More...

Comparative Alumni Research

In 20 years, how will the students you are recruiting now look back on their experience at your college? How will that compare to their peers who attended other institutions? Hardwick-Day’s Comparative Alumni Research documents the nature of the student experience and alumni life outcomes. Find out more...

Financing Higher Education Today

Financing Higher Education Today: How 2002 Graduates Paid For and Perceive the Benefits of Their Education is a groundbreaking study conducted by Hardwick-Day for the associations of independent colleges in Minnesota and Washington that analyzes how recent graduates paid for, experienced and assess their education. Find out more...

Retention Research

Research on the factors that influence students' decisions to continue their education in a certain environment is rising to the forefront of recruiting and admissions decisions as enrollment and financial aid staff attempt to balance net revenue and diversity goals with student welfare prerogatives. Hardwick-Day has a strong background in retention research and offers customized retention assessments to help colleges fine-tune enrollment and financial aid processes. Find out more...

Other Hardwick-Day Research

Ever wonder how the Harvard model would affect a “typical” school’s student body…and budget? Hardwick-Day has pursued this and other lines of thinking for you here…