HB 581

Amends GS 116-209.16A, which requires the State Education Authority to provide information on a website under the "Know Before You Go"" section to assist students and parents in selecting major and career options. Requires information on the website to assist in selection of major and career options in the State as well as each of the State's prosperity zones. Sets out definitions that apply in the statute. Amends the information that must be provided for career options to also include highest demand career areas and information on projected needs in the labor economy in the State and each prosperity zone. Amends the information that must be provided for major options to include information based on aggregate data for outcomes of public and private institutions of higher education and vocational and technical schools (was, public and private institutions of higher education only) in North Carolina. Expands upon the outcome information that is to be included as follows: (1) adds average tuition for public and private institutions of higher education and vocational and technical schools; (2) requires average and median amounts of loan debt upon graduation to also be listed among graduates for four-year institutions of higher education, community colleges, and vocational and technical schools; (3) adds average monthly student loan payments from four-year institutions of higher education, community colleges, and vocational and technical schools; (4) requires average and median salary to also be listed among graduates from four-year institutions of higher education, community colleges, and vocational and technical schools; and (5) requires the percentage of graduates employed within six months of graduation to be listed among graduates from four-year institutions of higher education, community colleges, and vocational and technical schools. Effective January 1, 2026."