The cost of higher education in WA hasn’t increased much, but the price has gone up — here’s why

[eridani]

http://www.eoionline.org/blog/the-cost-of-higher-education-in-wa-hasnt-increased-much-but-the-price-has-gone-up-heres-why/

Adjusted for inflation, the total cost of higher education hasn’t changed much since the mid-1990’s. But the state’s share of that cost has dropped like a stone. Tuition and fees have increased to make up for state funding cuts — and that is what is putting college out of reach for thousands of Washington’s high school graduates.

For example, at the University of Washington, the total cost per student was $18,100 in 1992-93. The state (via budget allocations) paid 79%, and students (via tuition/fees) paid 21%. As of 2015-16, the total cost is steady at $18,057 — but the state is paying just 34%, and students 66%:




How Washington is pricing thousands of high school graduates out of college

http://www.eoionline.org/blog/how-washington-is-pricing-thousands-of-high-school-graduates-out-of-college/

Affordable higher education was once a hallmark of living Washington state — but no more. Sure, tuition will drop a bit in 2015-16, but so will funding for state financial aid. And even adjusted for inflation, the cost of tuition and fees has skyrocketed.

The Economic Opportunity Institute’s analysis of data gathered from WA LEAP, the WA Student Achievement Council, and the WA Office of Financial Management shows that between the 1980-81 and 2015-16 school year, tuition and fees increased by:

499% at University of Washington
507% at Washington State University
384% at Central, Eastern, Western and Evergreen
337% at Community and Technical Colleges

And keep in mind, this is using inflation adjusted (2014) dollars!

Without comprehensive tax reform to bring in new state revenue, college will remain far out of reach for too many.