District 150 Rep. Valoree Swanson, R-Spring, filed House Bill 1425—also known as the College Degree Value Act—on Feb. 1 which would provide data on the earning potential of various college degree plans on the higher learning institutions’ websites and marketing materials.

Swanson said the data would be useful to parents and students comparing degree plans.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board currently has a tool on its website designed to help provide this information which Swanson said could be improved upon.

"We applaud the work the THECB has done in providing available data to students and parents thus far. This concept should be expanded to ensure the best choice is made for every student in the state," Swanson said.

The bill would expand this concept to all degrees offered and include an estimate of the rate of return on the education investment.

"Texas parents and students deserve full disclosure on costs and benefits of the degrees they are considering," Swanson said.

If approved, the bill would take effect Sept. 1. Institutions would need to comply with the new rules no later than April 1, 2018.

In January, Swanson also filed House Bill 1232, which would limit the total amount of tuition charged by an institution of higher education for an academic year and prevent a dramatic increase from the student’s first year of study, according to Swanson’s office.