Ethical Reflections on Career Outcome Data

Abstract

In higher education’s competitive landscape, driven by rankings, enrollment targets, and demands for return on investment (ROI) of degrees, career outcomes data is seen as a panacea. However, ethical considerations are conspicuously absent from the myriad discussions on career outcomes data collection. Critical issues such as student privacy, data security, accuracy, reliability, and transparency persist. This paper explores the ethical dimensions of career outcomes data collection and reporting, examining current practices, identifying gaps, and proposing solutions that higher education institutions can adopt to enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust.