TEN YEAR LOOK BACK ON MASS. PUBLIC COLLEGES

The last decade has been one of change and challenge for the public higher education institutions in Massachusetts.  While enrollment and graduation numbers are up, so are salaries, and other expenses to run these institutions.  Meanwhile state support is down, not just relative to inflation but absolutely as well, and, as a result, student charges are up dramatically.

Comparing 2002 to 2012, here are the numbers:

Enrollment is up 25% in community colleges, 17% at the state universities.

Number of students receiving degrees and certificates is up 21% at the community colleges, 12% at the state universities.

Faculty salaries are up 26% at the community colleges; I need to verify the state university change.

State support is down 11%. 

Student charges have increased 86% at the community colleges, 168% at the state universities.

The big eye-opener is the decrease in state support and the large increases in student charges.  These two changes are clearly related.  If the state had kept up with wages increases, state support would have gone up by 26%, a 37% swing from what actually happened.  Meanwhile student charges have risen to make up for the decrease in state funding. 

These numbers should set off a warning signal among the public, especially those with young children – the next generation of college students.  The lesson of this ten year look back: in Massachusetts, public higher education will require public commitment if it is to remain in the grasp of those of moderate means.