Colleges and universities are the foundation of higher learning. The key to student performance and outcomes is a result of both the quality of education as well as the condition of the built environment. As aging colleges and universities undertake renovations and new construction, is it important to take a holistic approach to product specification using practices such as Evidence-based Design (EBD) and Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA). This whitepaper uses informed research to demonstrate a clear link between flooring specification and student success in higher education.