NEW YORK — As part of its Trends in Higher Education series, the College Board Advocacy & Policy Center today released a new analysis brief, Trends in Tuition and Fees, Enrollment, and State Appropriations for Higher Education by State. The brief presents information on recent trends in tuition and fees, enrollment, and state support for higher education by state, paying particular attention to the public two-year and four-year sectors.
In the past few years, a weak economy has put increasing pressure on state and institutional budgets. State appropriations for higher education have not been able to keep pace with increases in enrollment, and college prices continue to rise faster than average prices in the economy.
Key Information:
Published Tuition and Fees by State, 2011-12
For the 2011-12 academic year, the average enrollment-weighted published price for in-state tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students in the public two-year sector was $2,963 for the nation as a whole, but ranged from $1,119 in California and $1,498 in New Mexico to $6,520 in Vermont and $6,741 in New Hampshire.
In 2011-12, the average published price for in-state tuition and fees for full-time public four-year undergraduate students in the nation was $8,244, but ranged from $4,125 in Wyoming and $5,123 in Louisiana to $13,078 in Vermont and $13,507 in New Hampshire.
Published Tuition and Fees by State, 2006-07 to 2011-12
- Between 2006-07 and 2011-12, the average published price for public two-year in-state tuition and fees increased by less than 22% (an average annual increase of 4%) in nine states. During the same time period, seven states increased their published two-year in-state tuition and fees by more than 47% (an average annual increase of 8%).
- Between 2006-07 and 2011-12, the average public four-year in-state tuition and fees increased by less than 22% (an average annual increase of 4%) in five states. During the same time period, 12 states increased their published four-year in-state tuition and fees by more than 47% (an average annual increase of 8%), including four that nearly or more than doubled their tuition and fees.
State Appropriations for Higher Education
- State appropriations are a major source of revenue for public colleges and universities. Over the decade from 1998-99 to 2008-09, the average share of revenues coming from state and local appropriations decreased and the average share of revenues coming from net tuition increased for all types of public institutions.
- In 2008-09, state appropriations contributed 24% of total revenues at public degree-granting institutions. However, there are vast differences in the levels of state support for higher education among states. For example, while state appropriations in Colorado and the District of Columbia contributed less than 6% of total revenues, state appropriations in Alaska, Nevada and Wyoming contributed more than 40% of total revenues at public degree-granting institutions.
Enrollment
- Declines in state appropriations were accompanied by increases in the numbers of students enrolled in higher education. In fall 2010, 15.1 million students were enrolled in public degree-granting institutions, up 16% from five years before. California had the largest enrollment (2.2 million), followed by Texas (1.3 million).
- All states saw an increase in total enrollment at public institutions from fall 2005 to fall 2010, with increases ranging from less that 10% in eight states to more than 20% in 11 states.
The brief was authored by Jennifer Ma, independent policy analyst for the College Board; and Sandy Baum, senior fellow at the George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development, and consultant to the College Board.
For further information about college prices, student aid, and the individual and societal benefits of higher education, please visit the Trends website at http://trends.collegeboard.org.
The College Board Advocacy & Policy Center was established to help transform education in America. Guided by the College Board’s principles of excellence and equity in education, the Center works to ensure that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed in college and beyond. Critical connections between policy, research and real-world practice are made to develop innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges in education today. Drawing from the experience of the College Board’s active membership consisting of education professionals from more than 6,000 institutions, priorities include: College Preparation & Access, College Affordability & Financial Aid, and College Admission & Completion.
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Contact:
Carly Lindauer The College Board 212-713-8052 communications@collegeboard.org