States continue to feel the impact of low revenue and a lack of support from the federal government. As a result, many state-supported colleges and universities have seen dramatic budget cuts in recent years. In an effort to minimize the damage, colleges and universities are approving skyrocketing tuitions. An informal scan of recent headlines (see below) shows some of the steep increases, with most in the double digits extending up to 28%.

States continue to feel the impact of low revenue and a lack of support from the federal government. As a result, many state-supported colleges and universities have seen dramatic budget cuts in recent years. In an effort to minimize the damage, colleges and universities are approving skyrocketing tuitions. An informal scan of recent headlines (see below) shows some of the steep increases, with most in the double digits extending up to 28%.

These increases are unfortunate because they will place the benefits of a college education out of the financial reach of many potential students. A recent survey by the Educational Testing Service indicated that “the public points to rising tuition and other costs as the biggest problem facing colleges and universities,” and “more than half (52%) of adults name rising tuition and other costs as the biggest problem facing colleges and universities.”

It appears that these increases are unnecessary, as there is strong support for public support of college and university students. The poll cited above also found that “66% of respondents are willing to pay more taxes to increase financial support for college students, while 61% are willing to pay more taxes to increase support for colleges and universities.”

Finally, there is also strong backing for federal support of higher education. “Eighty-four percent (84%) of adults say that the federal government should play a significant role in higher education.”

The benefits of education are widely known, and the electorate broadly supports higher education. It is puzzling that the federal government still refuses to provide states with more than just a fraction of their needed aid, given the budget crises in the states, which are causing cutbacks in needed programs such as higher education.

Some of the increases:

• University of Maryland: up to 21%
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• Penn State: minimum 9.8% increase
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• Ohio State University: 15.4% increase
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• University of New Hampshire: 6.8% increase
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• State University of New York (SUNY): 28% increase
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• Kansas University: 20.7% increase
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• University of Wisconsin: between 15 and 18% increase
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• Oklahoma University: 17.5% increase
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• Clemson: 18.8% increase
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• Rutgers: 9% increase
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• University of Illinois: asking for an 8% increase
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• Auburn University: 16% increase
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• University of Alabama: seeking 16.25%
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• University of Tennessee: expected 14% increase
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• University of South Carolina: 15%
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• University of Minnesota: 14.7%
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