California’s Impact on Average Tuition Increases Across America

Higher education enrollment in the state of California accounts for 25 percent of the country’s public college enrollment.  California enrolls 10 percent of the United States full-time students at four-year public higher education institutions and 15 percent at public two-year institutions.  According to the Trends in College Pricing 2011 report from the College Board, California has a huge impact on average tuition increase for public institutions across the nation.  The average percentage increase in tuition at four-year public colleges and universities is higher than that of private four-year institutions.  The average sticker price for in-state tuition and fees at public four-year institutions was $8,244 in the 2011-12 academic year.  This is an 8.3 percent increase from the previous year when the price was $7,613.  Without California, the percentage increase would decrease to 7 percent.

The U.S. News & World Report on Education have reported that increases in higher education spending at public institutions are compelled mostly by top administration, maintenance, and student services costs.  As I mentioned in another post, higher education administrators really need to increase their awareness of trends in higher education.  One thing that can be done to decrease spending is to cut spending in administration.  Institutions should only spend what is necessary to the success of the institution.  In the same manner, construction projects and student services should also develop strategic plans for saving dollars.  For example, institutions should only work on construction projects that are absolutely necessary such as rebuilding a ramp that is wheelchair accessible.  Since these areas are the biggest areas that effect spending the policies and procedures in these areas should definitely be re-evaluated.    

Clark, K. (2009).  The Surprising Causes of Those College Tuition Hikes.  U.S. News & World Report Online.  Retreived October 27, 2011 at  http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2009/01/15/the-surprising-causes-of-those-college-tuition-hikes

College Board (2011). Trends in College Pricing 2011.  Retrieved October 27, 2011 at http://trends.collegeboard.org/downloads/College_Pricing_2011.pdf

Supiano, B. (2011). Rise in Sticker Price at Public Colleges Outpaces That at Private Colleges for 5^th Year in a Row. Chronicle of Higher Education Online. Retreived October 26, 2011 at http://chronicle.com/article/Rise-in-Sticker-Price-at/129532/