Report: State Education Cuts Causing 'Surge' in University Tuition Prices

Published on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 by Common Dreams

Report: State Education Cuts Causing 'Surge' in University Tuition Prices
Higher education tuition hikes disproportionately impact low-income students

- Lauren McCauley, staff writer


The gross slashing of funds for public universities has caused a "surge" in tuition prices, disproportionately impacting low-income students says a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).

States are spending an average of 28 percent less this year on public university funding than they did in 2008—a decrease of $2,353 per student. According to CBPP, thirty-six states cut funding by over 20 percent and eleven slashed their budgets by more than one-third. Arizona and New Hampshire have cut their higher education spending in half.

To compensate for this massive gap in funding, the burden of cost has shifted to students in the form of surging tuition which, at four-year public colleges, has grown 27 percent since the 2007-08 year. ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/03/20-6