Your Money: More college pricing data, please

If you could write the next executive order commanding college and universities to disclose more, what information would you request?

View in browser|nytimes.com August 18, 2025 By Ron Lieber Hi everyone — Earlier this month, the Trump administration ordered colleges to turn over data relating to applicants' race, test scores and grade point averages. Even in the wake of a 2023 Supreme Court decision forbidding affirmative action in the admissions process, there is still concern that schools are engaging in it anyhow. Here's what Trump officials did not do: Demand more data from the schools about who is paying what for college and whether people are happy about it afterward. If you could write the next executive order commanding college and universities to disclose more, what information would you request? Please drop a note to yourmoney_newsletter@nytimes.com. We read all of them. Thanks, and have a good week. Dan Page Strategies Why Hands-Off Investing Pays Off Put money into low-cost stock and bond funds, but don't forget the rest of the recipe: Leave your investments alone. By Jeff Sommer Can This New 'Elite' Travel Card Compete With Amex and Chase? When it launched its Strata Elite card, Citi entered the high-end market for travel rewards cards. Here's how it compares with its top competitors. By Nia Decaille If You'll Pay $800 for a Credit Card, You're in Demand Credit card companies and airlines are in a race for customers who spend the most money — and that is making it harder for many other customers to score deals and perks. By Niraj Chokshi Companies Are Pouring Billions Into A.I. It Has Yet to Pay Off. Corporate spending on artificial intelligence is surging as executives bank on major efficiency gains. So far, they report little effect to the bottom line. By Steve Lohr Stocks Keep Climbing Past Bad News Strong corporate earnings, mostly stable tariff rates and the expectation of interest rate cuts have eased worries of a market reckoning. By Joe Rennison SpaceX Gets Billions From the Government. It Gives Little to Nothing Back in Taxes. Elon Musk's rocket company relies on federal contracts, but years of losses have most likely let it avoid paying federal income taxes, according to internal company documents. By Susanne Craig and Kirsten Grind Fed Faces High Bar for Big Cuts Despite White House Pressure The Federal Reserve is poised to lower interest rates in September. But signs of stickier inflation could limit how much relief officials can ultimately provide to borrowers. By Colby Smith C.E.O.s Want Their Companies to Adopt A.I. But Do They Get It Themselves? Some are being nudged to learn how to use the nascent technology. Coming to the C-suite retreat: mandatory website-building exercises using A.I. tools. By Jordyn Holman Tariffs Set to Hit Ireland, Where U.S. Drugmakers Play Tax Games Manufacturing in Ireland has long helped many American drug companies pay lower taxes. But that strategy was designed for a world without President Trump's tariffs. By Rebecca Robbins Air Canada's Flight Attendants Begin Strike, Crippling the Airline Ahead of the work stoppage, the airline said it had canceled most of the 700 flights that it directly operates, which carry about 130,000 people each day. By Ian Austen and Matina Stevis-Gridneff Big Tech's A.I. Data Centers Are Driving Up Electricity Bills for Everyone Electricity rates for individuals and small businesses could rise sharply as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and other technology companies build data centers and expand into the energy business. By Ivan Penn and Karen Weise Behind Wall Street's Abrupt Flip on Crypto The reversal risks declawing a century of consumer financial protections and replacing the backbone of bank accounts. By Rob Copeland For Gen Z, 'Little Treats' Are Worth Going Over Budget Any excuse is good enough for young adults to treat themselves, whether it's failing an exam, getting a "job well done" from a boss or simply washing the dishes. By Kailyn Rhone He Sold His Likeness. Now His Avatar Is Shilling Supplements on TikTok. Welcome to a new era of commercial work fueled by generative artificial intelligence. By Sapna Maheshwari How are we doing? We'd love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to yourmoney_newsletter@nytimes.com. Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up Your Money. If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Your Money from The New York Times. To stop receiving Your Money, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018