Federal data show nearly 6% of roughly 50,000 academic programs would fall below a proposed graduate earnings threshold that the Education Department is considering as part of accountability reforms. The department is discussing regulations to tie program eligibility and oversight to alumni earnings, a measure meant to steer students toward higher-return programs. If adopted, the rule would trigger program-level reviews, additional reporting requirements and potential sanctions for low-performing offerings. Colleges and program directors are assessing reengineering, marketing and curricular changes to protect vulnerable programs and avoid negative financial consequences for institutions that rely on those enrollments.