Delaware Cost Study – Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

• Ideal tool for benchmarking instructional costs, research, and public service expenditures at the academic discipline level
• Most systematic and rigorous conceptualization based on CIP levels
• Assists institutional data and unit alignment
• Assists in identifying cost distortions
• Ideal for program reviews and accreditation
• Ideal for establishing new program or department projections
• Higher Education Consortia is a useful intermediary partner

• Limitations

• Not a “whole cost” benchmarking tool for expenditure or tuition
• Not a perfect 1:1 Program/Department/Academic Budget Unit match
• Not a tool for performance funding

26