On Tuesday the U.S. House education committee held the first in what is expected to be a series of hearings on the regulatory burden on colleges and schools.

In an opening statement, Rep. John Kline of Minnesota, the panel’s chairman, promised to root out rules that “hinder job creation and economic growth.”

Much of the hearing focused on education mandates imposed on elementary and secondary schools under the No Child Left Behind Act.

But lawmakers also heard from Christopher B. Nelson, president of St. John’s College, in Maryland, about the “massive” federal regulation of higher education. He urged Congress to apply its “pay as you go” budget rules to regulation, eliminating old requirements as new ones are added. “There are things we are measuring because they can be measured, not because they are good, and those are the most dangerous,” he said.

Mr. Nelson drew sympathy from Mr. Kline, who said he knew regulations were “a real burden” on colleges. “We want to get at that,” he added.