AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ Maine officials hope that a new database they are poised to unveil will help prospective college students make more informed decisions about what degree to pursue and how much to borrow for their education.
The database, built by the Maine Department of Education and Department of Labor using federal grants, will allow users to view first-year earnings of graduates from Maine public universities and community colleges in various programs. It will also allow them to see how many graduates of a certain program are working.
It's expected to be shown next month to lawmakers and education officials on a task force overseeing its development.
Advocates say that concern over crushing student debt and poor job prospects is driving a push to make this information available across the country.