State Ranks Low in Seven of Eight Indicators

Most of the debate surrounding Governor Corbett’s education polices have focused on the impact of budget cuts on public schools K -12. Reductions in full-day kindergarten programs, furloughed teachers, increased class sizes and pension spikes have dominated public discussion about the cost, direction and future of public education in the Commonwealth.

However, college opportunities for Pennsylvania’s working and middle class families have steadily eroded between 2008-2014. On November 14, 2012, the “Governor’s Advisory Commission on Post Secondary Education” concluded, “Pennsylvania ranks below many states in affordability, driven by lower than average levels of state funding per student and also by higher than average costs to deliver education in the commonwealth.” (Governor’s Commission, p. 6)

The problem for graduating high-school seniors is that room and board, supplies and tuition continue to increase as resources recede.
“Because of the severity of the recession, funding has not adequately resulted in pre-recession financial strength.” (Governor’s Commission p. 64).

On February 4, 2014, Gov. Corbett proposed a budget that could include $25 million for college scholarships for the middle class. Even if the amount is approved, it may be too little too late.

In the last 25 years there has been a dramatic cost shift onto the backs of students who are accumulating record debt. “In 1988, average tuition amounts were larger than per-student state expenditures in only two states, New Hampshire and Vermont.  By 2008, that number had
grown to ten states.  Today, tuition revenue now outweighs government funding for higher education in 23 states with six states — New Hampshire, Vermont, Delaware, Colorado, Rhode Island, Michigan, and Pennsylvania — asking students and families to shoulder higher education costs by a ratio of at least 2-to-1. (State Higher Education Executive Officers’ Association.)

Exacerbating the diminished economic support provided by the Commonwealth, is the fact that intellectual capital has also been slashed. “The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education has reduced the permanent workforce by 540 employees and frozen or discontinued new enrollment in 198 programs.  Another 45 faculty positions may be furloughed this year. (Ry Rivard, “Wither Pennsylvania, Inside Higher Ed, December 2, 2013.)

Pennsylvania ranks below 50% to 75% of the other states in seven out of the eight leading indicators for funding higher education.

Between 2008-2014, the percentage change in the amount of state spending per Pennsylvania college student shrank by -30.7%. Pennsylvania is ranked 39th in the nation.

The financial impact is severe. During the same period, the amount we spent on college students decreased by $2,206. Pennsylvania’s national ranking in this category is #38.

How did Pennsylvania respond last year?

We continued on a downward spiral. Pennsylvania actually decreased the state’s spending (adjusted for inflation) by $12 per student, ranking us as the 42 second worst state in support for college students.

The pertinent questions for students, parents, taxpayers and voters are who made the decision to de-emphasize and deliberately defund post-secondary education in Pennsylvania, and can we reverse this trend?

*For a complete list of all eight funding indicators, please refer to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ website.

Photo by drocpsu