I am a graduate of Northwestern University and the University of Illinois, and am an economic historian who has turned my attention to the economics of higher education. I served on the Spellings Commission on the Future of Higher Education, ran the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, and for years administered Forbes' Best Colleges rankings. My newest book, out in early 2019 is "Restoring the Promise: Higher Education in America." I am a Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute. I write frequently for the popular press and have authored many books (including "Out of Work: Unemployment and Government in Twentieth-Century America" and "Going Broke By Degree: Why College Costs Too Much") and over 200 scholarly papers.