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Tuition costs rise as states' budgets sink From the National Desk Published 2/11/2003 3:01 AM View printer-friendly version
SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Tuition at the nation's colleges and universities has soared in the past year because sharp cuts in state spending for higher education because of budget deficits, a new report showed Tuesday.
The study by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education said the budget crises in most states are the result of a sluggish national economy.
"The result was the worst fiscal news for public higher education institutions and their students in at least a decade, as the economic recession struck almost every state," said the report, entitled "College Affordability in Jeopardy."
The report is the first to look at what has happened state-by-state to public tuition and fees, state appropriations for higher education, state student financial aid and personal income as of December 2002.
"The states are responding to the budget crisis by passing major cuts on to colleges and universities -- and colleges and universities are responding to these reductions by passing on the cost to students and families," said Patrick M. Callan, president of the center, based in San Jose.
The report shows that public colleges continue to become less affordable for students and their families. At public four-year colleges and universities, 16 states have increased tuition and fees by more than 10 percent. Massachusetts led with the largest increase at 24 percent, followed by Missouri, Iowa and Texas at 20 percent and North Carolina at 19 percent.
New York had the smallest tuition increase among the 50 states at 2 percent, followed by Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and Oregon at 3 percent.
The report also notes that costs have risen since the data was collected. In New York, the governor has proposed increasing tuition by 35 percent or more at the State University of New York and the City University of New York.
At public two-year colleges, 10 states have hiked tuition and fees by more than 10 percent. South Carolina and Massachusetts led with the largest increase at 26 percent, followed by New Hampshire and Arkansas at Washington and Indiana and 14 percent.
California, Maine, Hawaii, New York and Pennsylvania showed little or no increase in two-year tuition.
The report said that despite the increases in tuition at public colleges and universities, some states have invested little in student financial aid.
Only 14 states have increased spending on student grants by more than 10 percent, while 17 states have decreased their total investment.
South Carolina had the largest rise in investment in student financial aid at 94 percent, while Massachusetts had the biggest decline at 24 percent.
The report said states that had increased tuition were not necessarily the same states that offset the increases with more financial aid.
"The cumulative effect is a major assault on college affordability," Callan said.
"This comes at a time when unemployment is high, personal income is basically flat and college-level education and training is a requirement for most well-paying jobs."
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