Presidents from Ferris State, Lamar University and Cal State San Bernardino outlined targeted interventions to improve graduates’ earnings and upward mobility: use of data to identify low‑income students, campus supports that boost completion, and programs aligned to regional labor markets. Public Agenda’s analysis finds higher graduation rates correlate with stronger earnings outcomes — small percentage improvements translate into meaningful median wage gains. Leaders emphasized directing resources to students with greatest need, expanding student supports and using institutional metrics rather than one-size-fits-all enrollment metrics to measure success. Case studies showed incremental completion gains can produce persistent improvements in graduates’ lifetime earnings.