SARA Return on Investment in SREB States
Saving Time and Money, Broadening Online Offerings

Post

Colleges and universities in the SREB region save about $30 million annually by participating in SARA, according to estimates in a return-on-investment study by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems. SARA, the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, is a nationwide system to offer more high-quality distance education programs for students and ease regulatory burdens on institutions. SREB compact states may participate to offer distance education activities in other states. 

 

Initial Authorization
Savings (estimated)

Annual Renewal
Savings (estimated)
Alabama $   6,396,800 $ 1,789,600
Arkansas $   2,575,200 $    767,400
Delaware $      603,800 $    160,400
Florida $ 12,208,000 $ 3,357,200
Georgia $   7,652,500 $ 2,227,000
Kentucky $   8,101,000 $ 2,381,700
Louisiana $   3,147,000 $    893,400
Maryland $   4,490,000 $ 1,250,000
Mississippi $   3,027,750 $    862,250
North Carolina $ 11,092,000 $ 3,185,600
Oklahoma $   2,701,600 $    783,200
South Carolina $   5,555,200 $ 1,588,800
Tennessee $   8,904,800 $ 2,577,600
Texas $ 11,063,587 $ 3,034,175
Virginia $   6,699,900 $ 1,907,100
West Virginia $   2,479,550 $    755,350

For the purposes of SARA, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands affiliate through SREB.

  Initial Authorization
Savings (estimated)
Annual Renewal
Savings (estimated)
Pennsylvania $10,420,200 $3,352,200
Puerto Rico joined after the study joined after the study
Virgin Islands $       63,000 $     22,000
Washington, D.C. $  2,635,500 $   797,500

NCHEMS study and methodology