Public+universities+and+the+rising+cost+of+tuition


 * Public Universities and the Rising Cost of Tuition **


 * Research Question: What Role do Public Universities Play in the Rising Cost of Tuition**
 * Author: Erin Caldwell**

//**Rising college costs**//
 * Analysis Essay:**

//Summary:// There is no question that the cost of a college education has risen astronomically. What is even more startling than the initial inflation price itself of a college education is the types of institutions raising prices the most and more frequently. While many of us may believe the stigma that private schools are notoriously expensive and can continue to raise tuition at will, we may begin to overlook the fact that a public education may not be as big of a value as we would all like to believe. In fact "tuition, fees and room and board of attending a residential, four-year state school have increased by 9.8 percent and 5.7 percent at private institutions. The cost of attending an elite private university now can approach an eye-popping $40,000 a year, while the average private school costs $26,854 (of which $19,710 is for tuition and fees). In-state students at public four-year institutions pay an average of $10,636 (including $4,694 for tuition and fees)"

The only thing more disheartening than knowing we might be paying more to attend a public university than a private university are the reasons behind such high costs. The article suggests that institutions of higher education are wasteful when it comes to money. Many public universities have been scrutinized for spending money frivolously on non necessities such as extravagant new facilities, overpaid administrators and underworked faculty. Even here at the University of Rhode Island, there are undoubtedly things that we can look at and say, did we //really// need this?

//Reaction:// This article raised some exceptional points about public universities. While a large portion of their resources come from tax payers, how much control do the tax payers have over where their money is going? I believe that the majority of Rhode Island residents would rather see the money it takes to get new carpets in some of the dorms go to a handful of students in desperate need of scholarship money. What is unacceptable however, is having to pay more to attend your own states public school rather than a private one. The idea is to give everyone an equal shot however for some, even a public education will still be out of reach with such high tuition prices.

Price, T. (2003, December 5). Rising college costs. //CQ Researcher//, //13//, 1013-1044. Retrieved from []

//**The Politics of Public College Tuition and State Financial Aid**//
 * Scholarly: **

// Summary: // The cost of attending a public university varies greatly from state to state. An example from the article was the difference in tuition between Vermont and Nevada. To attend a public university in Nevada residents will pay somewhere around $2,477 in tuition. On the other hand, Vermont residents will pay nearly triple that, spending approximately $8,771 in tuition. The author argues that this all comes down to a numerical formula as well as government involvement. The authors hypothesis states " Holding other variables constant, appropriations in any state will depend on the level of liberalism in state government." This breaks down into other factors including the states economy as well as the goal of policy makers. There are also three variables in the overall cost of a public university education. These variables include state tax appropriations, tuition and required fees as well as the total amount of student aid per student basis. Each of these elements in congruence make up what students will pay for a college education. While it may seem like a fairly routine formula what is often overlooked is the hand the government plays in making the majority of this happen.

// Reaction: // The author framed the cost of higher public education in a way that is not usually done. It has never been disputed that government must take into account exactly how much money is fiscally responsible to place in their public universities, but it is easy to forget that many of the lawmakers political agendas influence their decisions. It is somewhat hypocritical to ask tax payers to invest in public institutions if they will not have sound piece of mind that government will in fact be investing in their children and their futures.

Doyle, W. (2012). The Politics of Public College Tuition and State Financial Aid. //Journal Of Higher Education//, //83//(5), 617-647.

//**From the Editor…Checking Our Assumptions**//
 * Editorial:**

//Summary:// Much of the research in the academic and scholarly world chastises institutions for the high cost of tuition. However, David Kohl editor of the Journal of Academic Librarianship and an affiliate of the University of Cincinnati gives higher public education a much needed pat on the back.Kohl comments on an article from the USA Today that praises the exceptional value of a public education. From this article Kohl concludes that students attending a public university pay an average of just 27% of overall tuition. He even goes as far as saying "What makes the USA Today article so powerful, however, is that it didn't just provide a general argument, but instead provided facts and figures and publicly verifiable sources for those facts and figures" Kohl does not go on to mention any of these figures or sources in greater detail which leads me to believe he may just be one of these overpaid underworked faculty looking to defend the wasteful ways of public universities.

//Reaction:// While editorials are written to evoke emotion and opinion from readers this was one I was fairly unfazed by. This was really the only piece I came across that defended the cost of higher public education, and it of course came from a faculty member of the University Of Cincinnati. The truth is that it is truly all a numbers game and a game of who will benefit from the most. The cost of higher education, especially that of a public institution could always be made more affordable, especially because a large portion of the revenue comes from tax payers. It is simply a matter of who is willing to prioritize the needs of the students.

Kohl, D. F. (2004). From the Editor…Checking Our Assumptions. //The Journal of Academic Librarianship//, //30//(5), 345–346. do:10.1016/j.acalib.2004.06.010


 * Summary:**
 * //Calculating the True Cost of Tuition Freezes at Public Colleges//**

//Summary:// As financial crisis looms, students across the country are also trying to figure out ways to receive an affordable public education without sacrificing quality. Tuition freezes have helped to alleviate some of the stress that public university students feel however they will not hold forever. With the increased cost of energy as well as inflation, public institutions are having a difficult time compensating their educators and still maintaining student resources. To help at the University of Maryland Baltimore County for example, "Over the past three years,the university has also turned to out-of-state, graduate, and professional students to increase revenue.The system has increased tuition for those students by about 4 percent each year,bringing in about $51-million from the higher rates over the past three years and an estimated $23-million next year." This is a common practice among a number of states and while it helps to absorb some of the cost for in state students, it places the burden on other students who may have no other option than to attend that school for their major.

//Reaction// This was somewhat of a dismal ending to my research. While some portions of previous articles seemed to offer easy fixes in most cases someone always loses or gets the shorter end of the stick. As an out of state student attending a public university, I am all to familiar with the absurd cost of tuition. However with attendance becoming more and more competitive at my own states school this was one of my more affordable options.

Kelderman, E. (2009). Calculating the True Cost of Tuition Freezes at Public Colleges. //Chronicle Of Higher Education//, //55//(36), A19.

Relevance in Rhode Island Schools:
Higher education is an issue relevant to every student in Rhode Island schools looking to further their education. With two public universities and a community college Rhode Island like most other states, is trying to give its students options. However, even with the alleged value of a public college education some students in Rhode Island still may not be able to afford to further their education. While the Rhode Island Strategic Plan and Race To The top seem to make worldly promises to their students in public schools, neither of them truly address the issue of life after elementary, middle, and high school.

Charter schools, many of which provide vocational or technical skills are a very real option for many students. Even with options like community colleges and public universities, some students in charter schools may opt out of furthering their education. Looking back at the NEL/CPS career academy, about 77% of students were looking to further their education after graduation. I would ask each of you to reflect back on your charter schools and the percentage of each of your students prepared to move on to higher education. Because many of them do come from diverse socioeconomic statuses, charter schools may be their best options at securing skills necessary to enter the work force with just a high school degree.
 * Relevance to Charter Schools **

Despite some of the dismal numbers, it is my belief that higher public education truly looks to serve the greater good. Public universities look to give their students the competitive edge without sending them into astronomical debt. If you look at programs such as the Pharmacy, Engineering, and Nursing programs here at the University of Rhode Island, students are given skills to enter into some of the worlds most lucrative careers, at a fraction of the cost of a private university education. I am glad that many schools are committed to providing students with an affordable education without sacrificing quality. The only qualms I have with the practices of public universities is how much they rely on tuition from out of state students. Fortunately, many public universities offer a regional tuition discount for students out of state if their own public institutions do not offer their intended major. All in all public universities seem to be doing the best they can in an effort to keep their heads above water, as well as keep all of their students afloat in these challenging economic times. That is something I can truly appreciate.
 * Overall Reaction to Research **