The New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, the Presidents' Council, and the boards of trustees of the state's colleges and universities share a strong commitment to accountability.

New Jersey’s Long-Range Plan for Higher Education: A Blueprint for Excellence, is a dynamic plan that is reviewed regularly and revised as needed based on progress and changes in circumstances. Annual updates of the Blueprint (1) monitor progress in achieving the plan’s seven principal objectives and key outcome measures, (2) inform future state investments linked to the objectives, and (3) develop new components to enhance progress toward achieving the overall vision.

As part of the annual updates, outcome data is reported on seven institution-specific components that are directly related to key state goals of enhancing student access, improving student outcomes, and increasing external funding. Peer group comparisons are used where data are available.

In addition, New Jersey's Higher Education Restructuring Act of 1994 requires public colleges and universities to prepare annual reports that inform state leaders and the public about the condition and progress of the institutions.