1. Challenging Times Bringing into focus PA’s support of
the Pennsylvania State System
of Higher Education
Fiscal Year

2. In higher education, costs climb while state aid stagnates
Pennsylvania’s public colleges and universities possess the second most expensive tuition in the nation.
PA public four-year tuition is 65% above the national average.
Source: Digest of Education Statistics, 2004 ( VT PA NH SC NJ

3. PA State System Tuition Then and Now
*The PA State System’s operating budget covered by the state has fallen from 63% to 39%, DIRECTLY affecting tuition.
Tuition¤, : $1,480/year
Tuition¤, : $4,906/year
¤Fees, room and board, and books, etc., not included.
Tuition rising faster than inflation:
$1,480 in 1984 should equal $2,782 in 2005
*The PA State System’s operating budget covered by the state has fallen from 63% to 39%, DIRECTLY affecting tuition.
Tuition¤, : $1,480/year
Tuition¤, : $4,906/year
¤Fees, room and board, and books, etc., not included.
Tuition rising faster than inflation:
$1,480 in 1984 should equal $2,782 in 2005
*Source: PA State System of Higher Education Factbook – 2005

4. State Appropriations as a Percentage of E&G Expenditures

5. Undergraduate Resident Tuition

6. Pennsylvania’s Citizenry
Alumni who reside in PA:
PA State System (as of fall 2004): ,782
Penn State (as of fall 2003): ,836
Pitt alumni (as of fall 2004): 137,662
The PA State System’s graduates stay in PA in greater numbers than any other PA college or university. An investment in the State System universities is an investment in the economic future of our state.
Sources: 1. PA State System of Higher Education Factbook:
2. Penn State’s Fact Book:
3. Pitt’s Fact Book:

7. Regional Competition and Educational Attainment
Educational Attainment 2004* Maryland %
(Bachelor’s Degree or Higher) New Jersey %
New York 30.4%
Pennsylvania %
Ohio 24.6%
West Virginia 15.3%
Average Personal Income 2004** New Jersey (3rd) $41, Maryland (4th) $39,629
New York (5th) $38,333
Pennsylvania (18th) $33,257
Ohio (25th) $31,135
West Virginia (49th) $25,681
Average Annual Earnings 2004* High School Diploma $30,640
Bachelor’s Degree $53,581
Advanced Degree $78,298
Source: *US Census Bureau, Current Population Survey
**Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce

8. Are Pennsylvania’s spending priorities in order?

9. Prisoners v. Students
The state budget allots roughly $32K - $33K/yr to the Department of Corrections for each prisoner and $4,352/yr (via state appropriations) to the PA State System of Higher Education for each full-time equivalent student.
One prisoner =
approximately eight students

10. Policy Recommendations for Pennsylvania Higher Education
Pennsylvania should reduce reliance on tuition revenue by increasing appropriations for public higher education, including community colleges, the PA State System of Higher Education, and the four state-related institutions.
If Pennsylvania reorganizes its priorities regarding its citizenry, corporations and business will come to Pennsylvania.

11. Rebalancing the Mix