Texas released new evidence aimed at strengthening how colleges document return on investment using value-added earnings outcomes. The study tracked 935,767 students who enrolled in 86 public institutions between 2008–09 and 2018–19, measuring economic outcomes for bachelor’s, associate’s, and certificate-seekers. The report is being positioned as a step toward credible, student-centered ROI measurement, with the Postsecondary Commission and Mathematica highlighted as key partners. The broader context is growing state and federal pressure to ensure programs eligible for public funding do not harm students. For institutional leaders, the practical implication is clearer: reporting expectations are shifting toward more defensible outcomes analytics, which will shape program review, strategic planning, and potential funding eligibility.