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    Higher education in Pennsylvania, 1993-2016

    From Ballotpedia - Reading time: 25 min
    Public Policy Logo-one line.pngin Pennsylvania

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    Higher education
    Education Policy Logo on Ballotpedia.png
    Enrollment statistics
    Tuition statistics
    Financial aid statistics
    Retention rates
    Graduation rates
    Higher education funding
    Public Policy Logo-one line.png

    Pennsylvania's higher education system is composed of 260 colleges and universities. Of these, 62 are public institutions, 124 are nonprofit private schools, and 74 are for-profit private institutions.[1]

    HIGHLIGHTS
  • Average debt held by college graduates in Pennsylvania amounted to about $33,264, ranking third highest in the country.
  • Students who graduated from public colleges in Pennsylvania had more debt on average than those who graduated from private colleges: $33,547 compared to $32,833, respectively.
  • Appropriations per full-time student declined 35.3 percent from 2009 to 2013.

    • Higher education policy decisions can affect college access, the retention of students and the eventual completion of their degrees, student rights on campus, students' financial burden in the form of debt, and their employment prospects after graduation. Click on the tabs below to learn more about higher education in Pennsylvania.

    Overview[edit]

    Education Policy Logo on Ballotpedia.png
    Overview
    Total number of schools:
    260
    Public schools:
    62
    State agency:
    Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education
    Retention rate:
    75%[2]
    Graduation rate:
    62.9%[3]
    Average public in-state tuition:
    $12,607
    Total funding for public higher education:
    $1,658,992,000
    Funding per full-time student:
    $3,654
    Public Policy Logo-one line.png
    Higher education in the United States • Education policy • Education policy in the United States • Public education in Pennsylvania

    Overview[edit]

    Higher education policy refers to the decisions made by the federal government, state legislatures, higher education boards, and colleges and universities themselves. These decisions can affect how state funding is allocated, who sets tuition and at what level, campus resources available for academically struggling students, degrees and programs offered, and state financial aid eligibility and award amounts, as some examples. Higher education entities also set policies that manage campus environments, such as the prohibition or allowance of guns on campus and rules regarding free speech and student protests.[4]

    Generally speaking, there are four types of postsecondary educational institutions in the United States:[5][6]

    1. Public two-year institutions, which are most commonly known as community colleges, typically "award associate degrees in vocational fields [and] prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions." These schools are financed in large part with public funds. The Community College of Allegheny County is an example of a public two-year institution in Pennsylvania.[5][6]
    2. Public four-year colleges and universities award baccalaureate and/or graduate degrees. Traditionally, a distinction has been made between colleges and universities, with colleges awarding only four-year degrees and universities awarding both four-year and graduate-level degrees; however, these two terms are often used interchangeably today. Like their two-year counterparts, public four-year colleges and universities are financed largely with public funds. Pennsylvania State University and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania are examples of public four-year institutions in Pennsylvania.[5][6]
    3. Private nonprofit institutions can vary dramatically in size, course offerings, and mission. These institutions do not receive public funding directly. Instead, private nonprofit schools are financed primarily by tuition, gifts, and endowments. These schools do not generate profit. Allegheny College and Bucknell University are examples of private nonprofit institutions in Pennsylvania.[5][6]
    4. Private for-profit institutions typically specialize in vocational education. Like their nonprofit counterparts, these schools do not receive public funds. These mainly online universities generally serve older students and endeavor to generate profits. Examples in Pennsylvania include DeVry University and ITT Technical Institute.[5][6]

    The oldest higher education institution in Pennsylvania is the University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1740. Organized higher education in Pennsylvania can be traced back to 1857. In that year, the Normal School Act was passed, establishing regional schools that existed to train teachers for the state's public schools. The School Code of 1911 then required the state to purchase these schools. By 1921 the state finalized 14 separate universities. In 1982 Act 188 was passed, establishing the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, or PASSHE, which is that group of 14 state-sponsored universities.[7][8]

    As of July 2016, there were 62 public colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. These are listed in the table below.[1]


    State agencies[edit]

    Edinboro University in Pennsylvania

    Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education[edit]

    The Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education is the primary higher education authority in the state of Pennsylvania. This office authorizes other organizations to distribute degrees. It also oversees the teacher certification process and approves new education projects. The office can additionally coordinate veteran and armed forces benefits for students or family of students.[9]

    Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency[edit]

    The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA, is the state's primary student aid agency. Created in 1963, this agency handles loan servicing and other financial assistance programs. PHEAA also conducts business nationally through two other agencies, American Education Services and FedLoan Servicing.[10]

    Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education[edit]

    The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, also known as PASSHE, is a system of 14 public universities created in 1982. The system is managed by a 20-member board of governors on a state level, and each school in the system has an 11-member board of trustees. The board of governors handles system policies while the trustee boards pass and enforce those policies in each of the member schools.[7]

    Admissions[edit]

    Enrollment[edit]

    See also: Higher education enrollment statistics

    According to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, college enrollment typically rises during economic downturns and declines as the economy improves. In 2014, higher education enrollment nationwide was 8.6 percent higher than pre-recession levels in 2008. However, enrollment has been declining since 2012. Full-time enrollment in higher education institutions rose sharply following the recession before peaking in 2011 and then dropping off.[11]

    College enrollment in Pennsylvania followed this trend; between 2012 and 2014, full-time enrollment decreased from about 369,046 to about 358,820. In 2014, full-time college enrollment in Pennsylvania was 4.6 percent higher than in 2008. Click [show] on the green bar below the bar chart to view full-time public university enrollment in Pennsylvania as compared to surrounding states.

    Pennsylvania higher ed enrollment 2016.png

    Demographics[edit]

    Enrollment by race and ethnicity[edit]

    In Pennsylvania, total enrollment—full-time and part-time—in all public and private higher education institutions amounted to 765,582 in fall 2013. About 70.2 percent of these students were white. Black students comprised approximately 11.6 percent of the total postsecondary student population in Pennsylvania. During that time, 73.9 percent of the state's general population was white and 12.2 percent was black, with other ethnic groups comprising the remainder. The table below lists demographic information for both postsecondary students and the general population in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.[12]

    Higher education enrollment by race/ethnicity, 2013
    State Population category White Black Hispanic Asian Pacific Islander American Indian/Alaska Native Two or more races Non-resident alien
    Pennsylvania Postsecondary students 70.2% 11.6% 6.0% 4.7% 0.1% 0.2% 2.1% 5.0%
    General population 73.9% 12.2% 6.3% 4.9% 0.1% 0.2% 2.2% N/A
    Maryland Postsecondary students 49.4% 28.6% 7.1% 6.8% 0.2% 0.3% 3.0% 4.7%
    General population 51.8% 30.0% 7.4% 7.1% 0.2% 0.3% 3.2% N/A
    New Jersey Postsecondary students 51.3% 14.9% 18.9% 8.5% 0.3% 0.3% 1.8% 4.0%
    General population 53.5% 15.5% 19.7% 8.8% 0.4% 0.3% 1.9% N/A
    New York Postsecondary students 52.1% 13.9% 15.6% 8.8% 0.2% 0.4% 1.8% 7.3%
    General population 56.2% 15.0% 16.8% 9.5% 0.3% 0.4% 1.9% N/A
    United States Postsecondary students 56.9% 14.1% 15.2% 5.9% 0.3% 0.8% 2.7% 4.1%
    General population 59.3% 14.7% 15.8% 6.1% 0.3% 0.8% 2.9% N/A
    Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 306.60. Fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by race/ethnicity of student and state or jurisdiction: 2013"

    Enrollment by sex[edit]

    In 2013, 55.8 percent of all postsecondary students in Pennsylvania were female, which was less than the national rate of 56.5 percent. The table below lists postsecondary student enrollment by sex in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.[13]

    Higher education enrollment by sex, 2013
    State Total students Male students Percentage Female students Percentage
    Pennsylvania 765,582 338,690 44.2% 426,892 55.8%
    Maryland 363,771 157,731 43.4% 206,040 56.6%
    New Jersey 436,939 198,902 45.5% 238,037 54.5%
    New York 1,304,230 568,124 43.6% 736,106 56.4%
    United States 20,375,789 8,860,786 43.5% 11,515,003 56.5%
    Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 304.30. Total fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by attendance status, sex, and state or jurisdiction: 2012 and 2013"

    Affirmative action[edit]

    See also: Affirmative action and Affirmative action in Pennsylvania

    Federal law requires government contractors and other departments and agencies receiving federal funding to develop and implement affirmative action plans for the hiring process. Public colleges and universities are considered federal contractors and must utilize affirmative action in their employment practices. However, many private and public colleges and universities across the country have also implemented similar measures in their admissions processes. These actions are typically voluntary, although a handful of states have adopted rules that require state universities to take affirmative action in admissions.[14][15][16]

    Affirmative action admissions programs were undertaken by public and private universities alike, beginning in the late 1960s and 1970s. Some universities initially established quotas in order to achieve a demographically diverse student body; these quotas were outlawed by the United States Supreme Court in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke in 1978.[14][17]

    Affirmative action can also take other forms, such as targeted outreach campaigns. Today, a common form of affirmative action in college admissions is that of racial preferences. A preference occurs when a group of applicants is more likely to be admitted than other applicants with similar or better qualifications due to other factors, such as race or ethnicity. Preferences are also sometimes extended towards women, athletes and children of alumni. The use of racial preferences may be related to college selectivity: scholars such as law professor Richard Sander have found that preferences are strongest at elite institutions.[14][17][18][19]

    Eight states have enacted laws banning the consideration of race in university admissions. As of March 2015, Pennsylvania was not one of these states. Of 41 public four-year universities in Pennsylvania, ten reported considering race in admissions, as indicated in the chart below.

    Consideration of race at public four-year universities in Pennsylvania
    School Race/ethnicity is... School selectivity*
    Very important Important Considered Not considered
    Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    California University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Clarion University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Open admission
    Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Indiana University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Very selective
    Lock Haven University
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Millersville University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    Pennsylvania State University
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    Penn State Abington
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Altoona
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Beaver
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Berks
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Brandywine
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Dubois
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Greater Allegheny
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Harrisburg
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Hazleton
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Lehigh Valley
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Mont Alto
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State New Kensington
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Schuylkill
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    Penn State Shenango
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    Penn State Wilkes-Barre
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State Worthington Scranton
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Penn State York
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Pennsylvania College of Technology N/A Open admission
    Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    Temple University
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
    {{{1}}}
    		 N/A
    University of Pittsburgh
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    West Chester University of Pennsylvania
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    Sources: The College Board, "Big Future". Reproduced with permission.
    CollegeData, "College 411"
    *Note: This scale of college selectivity comes from The College Board and is measured as follows: Most selective, less than 25 percent admitted; Very selective, 25 percent to 50 percent admitted; Somewhat selective, 50 percent to 75 percent admitted; Less selective, more than 75 percent admitted; Open admission, all or most admitted.


    Student costs[edit]

    See also: Higher education tuition statistics

    In-state and private tuition[edit]

    Tuition accounts for just a portion of student costs; in many states, the cost of room and board equals or surpasses the cost of tuition at public universities. However, unlike room and board, tuition has risen much faster than inflation, increasing by 40 percent between the 2005-2006 and the 2015-2016 school years. The consumer price index increased by 21.5 percent over the same time period. Some studies suggest that universities have increased tuition as a response to state budget cuts, while others correlate rising tuition with the availability of financial aid.[20][21][22]

    In the 2013-2014 academic year, the national average in-state cost for tuition and required fees at a public four-year school totaled $8,312. For a private four-year school, the average was $25,696. In Pennsylvania, these figures were higher: $12,607 and $34,313, respectively. Public university tuition in the state increased 27 percent between 2005-2006 and 2015-2016. The graph below displays average tuition prices in Pennsylvania as compared to the nationwide average for each year during that time. Hover over the points to view precise figures. The table below the graph compares 2013-2014 average annual tuition costs in Pennsylvania with those in surrounding states.[21][23]

    Note: Discrepancies in data between the line graph and the table below are due to differing sources of information.

    Higher education tuition and fees at 4-year institutions, 2013-2014 (in current dollars)
    State Public in-state Private
    2012-2013 2013-2014 Percent change 2012-2013 2013-2014 Percent change
    Pennsylvania $12,184 $12,607 3.5% $32,949 $34,313 4.1%
    Maryland $8,051 $8,320 3.3% $32,580 $34,316 5.3%
    New Jersey $11,955 $12,266 2.6% $31,195 $32,010 2.6%
    New York $6,556 $6,892 5.1% $32,438 $33,825 4.3%
    United States $8,070 $8,312 3.0% $24,525 $25,696 4.8%
    Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
    Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 330.20. Average undergraduate tuition and fees and room and board rates charged for full-time students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and level of institution and state or jurisdiction: 2012-13 and 2013-14"

    Out-of-state tuition[edit]

    See also: Higher education tuition statistics

    Public postsecondary schools receive some of their funding from their state's government. This money in turn comes from taxation of the state's residents. Since neither out-of-state students nor their parents paid that state's taxes, the schools charge these students additional tuition to account for the difference. This additional charge is a significant increase over in-state tuition in all 50 states. In the 2013-2014 school year, out-of-state students nationwide paid an average of $22,603 in annual tuition and required fees, 272 percent higher than the in-state average of $8,312.[21]

    Students attending public postsecondary institutions in Pennsylvania from outside of the state were required to pay an average of $23,571, a 187 percent difference over the average in-state tuition of $12,607. The average out-of-state tuition price for Pennsylvania was higher than the national average by about $968. The table below compares in-state and out-of-state tuition figures for Pennsylvania with those of surrounding states.

    Average annual in-state and out-of-state tuition and required fees, 2013-2014
    State Average in-state tuition Average out-of-state tuition Percent difference
    Pennsylvania $12,607 $23,571 187%
    Maryland $8,320 $20,772 250%
    New Jersey $12,266 $25,637 209%
    New York $6,892 $17,082 248%
    United States $8,312 $22,603 272%
    Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
    Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 330.20. Average undergraduate tuition and fees and room and board rates charged for full-time students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and level of institution and state or jurisdiction: 2012-13 and 2013-14"

    Financial aid[edit]

    See also: Higher education financial aid statistics

    The federal government provides financial aid to undergraduate students in the form of grants and loans. Notable grants administered by the United States government include Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG). Loan programs administered by the federal government include the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program and Federal Perkins Loan Program. Perkins Loans have an interest rate of 5 percent, while Direct Loans have interest rates that vary based on the date of disbursement and the loan type: loans disbursed between July 1, 2014, and July 1, 2017, have interest rates ranging from 3.76 percent to 7.21 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average default rate on Perkins Loans was 11.8 percent for borrowers who entered into repayment in 2012; the rate reflects borrowers who defaulted prior to September 30, 2014. This is compared to average default rates of 7.2 percent on home loans and 2.23 percent on credit card loans in 2014.[24][25][26][27][28][29]

    In addition, colleges and universities often offer institution-specific financial aid to their students, and individual states may also administer student financial aid programs. According to the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, the states disbursed approximately $11.7 billion in state-based financial aid to postsecondary students in the 2013-2014 academic year. This represented about 5 percent of all financial aid provided to undergraduate students, according to The College Board. Pennsylvania awarded $482.56 million in state-based financial aid during that time. The table below provides state-based aid figures for Pennsylvania and surrounding states in 2013-2014.[30][31]

    Total state-based financial aid, 2013-2014 (in millions)
    State Need-based grant aid Non-need-based grant aid Non-grant aid Total
    Pennsylvania $457.45 $1.82 $23.3 $482.56
    Maryland $108.05 $5.16 $5.16 $118.37
    New Jersey $385.29 $7.76 $193.02 $586.07
    New York $947.61 $30.44 $79.85 $1,057.9
    United States $7,491.27 $2,446.92 $1,756.51 $11,694.70
    Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
    Source: National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, "45th Annual Survey Report on State-Sponsored Student Financial Aid"

    Student debt[edit]

    See also: Student debt in higher education in the United States

    Student debt is a major concern for both parents and students. According to the Institute for College Access and Success, in school year 2013-2014, an average of 62 percent of all students nationwide graduated with debt at an average of about $27,779 per borrower. The state with the lowest average debt held by students was Utah, where average student debt was about $18,921. Conversely, students who graduated from colleges and universities in Delaware held an average of about $33,808 in debt, the highest in the country.[32][33]

    During the 2013-2014 school year, about 70 percent of postsecondary students at both public and private schools in Pennsylvania graduated with debt. Average debt held amounted to about $33,264, ranking third highest in the country. The table below compares the average student debt, percentage of graduates with debt, and national rankings of Pennsylvania and surrounding states.

    Average student debt and percentage of graduates with debt, 2013-2014
    State Average debt National rank Percentage with debt National rank
    Pennsylvania $33,264 3 70% 3
    Maryland $27,457 20 58% 34
    New Jersey $28,318 18 68% 10
    New York $27,822 19 61% 26
    United States $27,779 -- 62% --
    Source: CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data"

    While tuition for private schools is typically higher than that of public schools, debt does not always follow this same pattern. The Institute for College Access and Success analyzed data on student debt held by graduates of public and private schools. They found that in the 2013-2014 school year, about 60 percent of students nationwide who graduated from a public institution had debt, which averaged about $25,665 per borrower. For private schools, they found that approximately 65 percent of students graduated with an average of $28,498 in debt. However, in some states, such as New Hampshire, students on average graduated from private schools with less debt than those who graduated from public schools.[32][33]

    During the 2013-2014 school year, about 72 percent of graduates from Pennsylvania's public schools graduated with an average of $33,547 in debt. About 67 percent of private school students graduated with an average of $32,833 in debt. As this data shows, students who graduated from public schools during this year had more debt on average than those who graduated from private schools. The table below compares these statistics for Pennsylvania with those of its surrounding states.

    Average student debt from public and private colleges, 2013-2014
    State Public in-state institution Private institution
    Average debt Percent of graduates with debt Average debt Percent of graduates with debt
    Pennsylvania $33,547 72% $32,833 67%
    Maryland $26,413 56% $30,696 64%
    New Jersey $28,345 69% $28,153 62%
    New York $23,774 54% $30,268 67%
    United States $25,902 60% $29,657 64%
    Source: CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data"

    Outcomes[edit]

    Retention rates[edit]

    See also: Higher education retention rates

    Retention rates indicate the percentage of freshmen postsecondary students who enroll the following academic year as sophomores. According to the NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis:[34]

    “ Students are more likely to drop out of postsecondary education during the first year than any other time. If a state can implement policies that help to increase retention rates either within institutions or through transfer, the likelihood of students persisting to graduation is far greater.[34][35] ”
    —NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis

    Compared to neighboring states, Pennsylvania had the highest total retention rate in the 2013-2014 school year at 75 percent (Pennsylvania tied with New York). The table below compares retention rates in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.[36]

    Higher education retention rates, 2013-2014
    State Total Public Private nonprofit Private for-profit
    2-year 4-year 2-year 4-year 2-year 4-year
    Pennsylvania 75% 59% 81% 60% 84% 69% 47%
    Maryland 71% 60% 83% N/A 84% 67% 44%
    New Jersey 73% 63% 85% 47% 81% 74% 61%
    New York 75% 62% 83% 52% 84% 53% 67%
    United States 71% 60% 79% 62% 80% 68% 54%
    Source: CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data"

    Graduation rates[edit]

    See also: Higher education graduation rates

    The table below, built from data compiled by The Chronicle of Higher Education, details graduation rates for Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Although postsecondary schools are classified as four-year and two-year institutions, relatively few students actually complete degrees within these time frames. At four-year schools, students commonly take between four and six years to complete their degrees. Likewise, students at two-year institutions commonly take three years to complete their degrees. To illustrate this point, both four-year and six-year graduation rates are provided in the table below (only three-year rates are provided for two-year institutions, owing to a lack of information regarding two-year completion rates).[37]

    At public four-year colleges in Pennsylvania, 41.6 percent graduated within four years, while 62.9 percent graduated within six years. These figures were higher than in all neighboring states except New Jersey. About 14.3 percent of Pennsylvania students at public two-year colleges graduated within three years; this figure was lower than in neighboring states.[38]

    Pennsylvania four year college completion.png
    Pennsylvania six year college completion.png
    Graduation rates by state, 2013
    State Four-year institutions Two-year institutions
    Completion within four years Completion within six years Completion within three years
    Public Private nonprofit Private for-profit Public Private nonprofit Private for-profit Public Private for-profit
    Pennsylvania 41.6% 60.8% 21.7% 62.9% 71.4% 29.5% 14.3% 62.3%
    Maryland 39.9% 65.8% 6.4% 60.8% 73.3% 16.7% 14.5% 61.3%
    New Jersey 42.2% 49.6% 20.2% 67.2% 64.8% 26.5% 16.3% 67.5%
    New York 38.7% 55.1% 32.0% 59.2% 68.2% 50.7% 20.6% 36.7%
    United States 33.3% 52.8% 23.3% 57.6% 65.4% 33.2% 19.4% 63.1%
    Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education, "Graduation rates by state"

    Study on college affordability and outcomes[edit]

    College affordability and student debt have become major issues in higher education policy, particularly since the 2008 recession. The College Affordability Guide is an organization that evaluates colleges for their value, which is defined as providing a high-quality education that is affordable "not only for the average student, but for lower-income students as well." According to the College Affordability Guide, there are 20 colleges in Pennsylvania that provide high-quality education at an affordable price. The College Affordability Guide's rankings consider a number of factors and are based on the idea that income-appropriate tuition, completing one's studies, and being able to pay back one's loans are the key elements of a worthwhile college experience. Colleges considered the best value by the guide meet the following criteria:[39]

    • Tuition at an average net price of $15,000 per year or less after financial aid for families making $48,000 per year or less
    • At least 50 percent of students graduate or transfer
    • At least 50 percent of students are actively paying down student loan debt three years after graduation

    Additionally, all colleges considered are not-for-profit, offer associate or higher degrees, and have at least one non-standard way for students to earn college credits, such as AP or CLEP credit. The table below lists the colleges in Pennsylvania that the College Affordability Guide considers to be the best value. The colleges are in no particular order. Full rankings and descriptions of the colleges can be found here.

    Most affordable colleges in Pennsylvania, 2016
    College Average net price Percent of students graduating or transferring Percent of students repaying loans
    Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania $14,000 65.0% 88.1%
    Butler County Community College $3,000 55.0% 73.6%
    California University of Pennsylvania $14,000 53.0% 82.4%
    Cedar Crest College $14,000 72.0% 82.9%
    Clarion University of Pennsylvania $13,000 50.0% 80.7%
    East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania $13,000 56.0% 87.3%
    Geneva College $14,000 75.0% 89.2%
    Holy Family University $13,000 86.0% 85.1%
    Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus $14,000 53.0% 82.6%
    Lycoming College $14,000 92.0% 90.1%
    Mansfield University of Pennsylvania $12,000 53.0% 82.5%
    Millersville University of Pennsylvania $12,000 64.0% 88.6%
    Cairn University $14,000 66.0% 89.1%
    University of Pittsburgh-Bradford $14,000 52.0% 89.9%
    University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg $13,000 53.0% 89.9%
    Saint Vincent College $13,000 98.0% 93.3%
    Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania $14,000 55.0% 88.0%
    Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania $13,000 67.0% 88.4%
    Waynesburg University $13,000 87.0% 89.7%
    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College $2,000 58.0% 68.4%
    Source: College Affordability Guide, "2016 Most Affordable Colleges in Pennsylvania"

    Funding[edit]

    Total state funding[edit]

    See also: Higher education funding and Pennsylvania state budget and finances

    Higher education funding mechanisms differ depending on the type of institution. Public colleges receive the lion's share of their funding from state and local governments. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, state and local appropriations accounted for 53 percent of higher education revenues nationwide in 2013. By contrast, private institutions do not receive direct government funding. Instead, these institutions rely primarily on tuition, gifts, and endowments.[40][41]

    The 2008 recession led to decreased public higher education funding as college enrollment increased:

    “ By 2012, the tuition revenues collected by public universities in 20 states covered more educational costs than did state-provided dollars.[35] ”
    —Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education[42]

    While there have been moderate increases in state allocations between 2012 and 2015, the average amount of spending "is still 15 percent less, per student, than before the economic downturn," according to a study by the State Higher Education Executive Offices (SHEEO).[43]

    According to Grapevine, which is published by Illinois State University's Center for the Study of Education Policy and SHEEO, financial support for public higher education in Pennsylvania totaled $1.7 billion in fiscal year 2015, a 1.6 percent increase over fiscal year 2013. The table below lists higher education fiscal support figures for Pennsylvania and surrounding states.[44]

    State funding for higher education
    State Fiscal year 2013 Fiscal year 2014 Fiscal year 2015 Percent change
    Pennsylvania $1,632,655,000 $1,644,692,000 $1,658,992,000 1.6%
    Maryland $1,617,306,184 $1,718,546,477 $1,833,600,977 13.4%
    New Jersey $1,888,439,000 $1,990,469,000 $2,070,674,000 9.7%
    New York $5,113,034,854 $5,283,125,597 $5,466,691,712 6.9%
    United States $72,493,483,464 $76,950,508,609 $80,973,621,292 11.7%
    Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
    Source: Grapevine, "Table 1: State Fiscal Support for Higher Education, by State, Fiscal Years 2009-10, 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15"

    Funding per student[edit]

    According to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, average adjusted public postsecondary appropriations per full-time student declined 13.3 percent from fiscal year 2009 to 2013 on average in the United States. In Pennsylvania, appropriations per full-time student declined 35.3 percent during that same period. The table below lists adjusted public higher education appropriations per full-time student for Pennsylvania and surrounding states in fiscal years 2009, 2013, and 2014.[11]

    Public higher education appropriations per full-time student (in constant 2014 dollars)
    State Fiscal year 2009 Fiscal year 2013 Fiscal year 2014 1 year change 5 year change Change since recession
    Pennsylvania $5,645 $3,633 $3,654 0.6% -35.3% -37.4%
    Maryland $7,926 $7,022 $7,512 7.0% -5.2% -12.5%
    New Jersey $7,206 $5,658 $5,520 -2.4% -23.4% -28.3%
    New York $8,659 $8,129 $8,454 4.0% -2.4% -4.7%
    United States $7,553 $6,215 $6,552 5.4% -13.3% -18.9%
    Notes: "Educational appropriations are a measure of state and local support available for public higher education operating expenses including ARRA funds, and exclude appropriations for independent institutions, financial aid for students attending independent institutions, research, hospitals, and medical education."
    "Adjustment factors, to arrive at constant dollar figures, include Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), Enrollment Mix Index (EMI), and Higher Education Cost Adjustment (HECA). The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is not a measure of inflation over time."
    Source: State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, "State Higher Education Finance: FY 2014"

    Faculty[edit]

    Faculty[edit]

    See also: Higher education faculty statistics

    Across the country, as student enrollment at postsecondary institutions has changed, so has the faculty. To meet rising demand, the number of faculty increased nationwide by just over 55 percent, from 515,684 to 800,611, between the 1993-1994 and 2013-2014 school years. In Pennsylvania, the total number of faculty rose from 24,027 to 31,506. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the college faculty profession has one of the fastest growth rates in the nation and will see a 19 percent increase in jobs between 2012 and 2022.[45][46][47]

    Employment status[edit]

    Employment of faculty at four-year public institutions in Pennsylvania

    While the total number of faculty at public colleges and universities continued to rise over the previous two decades, the portion of faculty who work part time rose more quickly. By the mid-1990s, part-time faculty comprised over half of total instructional faculty, a figure which continued to increase before leveling off in 2013. In the 2013-2014 school year, just over 55 percent of instructional faculty nationwide worked part time. The number of part-time faculty, including teaching and research assistants, outnumbered full-time faculty in all but 11 states. The number of teaching and research assistants alone outnumbered full-time faculty in five states. Pennsylvania was not one of these states. According to the Southern Regional Education Board,[45][46]

    “ The fact that part-time faculty and teaching/research assistants are a majority of the instructional staff does not mean they do a majority of the instruction, because part-time faculty members and teaching/research assistants typically do not teach as many classes as full-time faculty members. Part-time faculty members generally do not have campus committee assignments or participate in student activities.[35] ”
    —Southern Regional Education Board[45]

    In Pennsylvania, the percentage of all part-time faculty, including graduate assistants, increased from 44.0 percent to 47.2 percent between the 1993-1994 and 2013-2014 school years. Below is a table that provides figures on full-time and part-time faculty employment in Pennsylvania as compared to surrounding states.[46]

    Employment status of instructional faculty at public four-year institutions
    State 1993-1994 2013-2014
    Full time faculty Part time faculty Graduate assistants Part-time total as a percent of all faculty* Full time faculty Part time faculty Graduate assistants Part-time total as a percent of all faculty*
    Pennsylvania 13,461 3,854 6,712 44.0% 16,623 6,158 8,725 47.2%
    Maryland 4,504 2,603 3,616 58.0% 6,711 3,370 5,207 56.1%
    New Jersey 4,952 1,373 2,199 41.9% 8,138 8,759 3,013 59.1%
    New York 13,245 9,174 4,005 49.9% 14,348 15,116 6,063 59.6%
    United States 265,469 83,579 166,636 48.5% 359,586 163,962 277,063 55.1%
    *"Part-time total" includes teaching and research assistants, who also work part time.
    Source: Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book Tables"

    Salaries[edit]

    According to the Southern Regional Education Board, although the salaries of full-time faculty at public four-year institutions are higher than the those of the average American worker, their growth has not kept pace with the average rate of salary increases across all professions. However, salary growth at private institutions has outpaced the national average rate. From the 2008-2009 to the 2013-2014 school years, the average salary for full-time instructional faculty at public four-year institutions nationwide rose from $76,009 to $79,293. In Pennsylvania, the average salary increased from $77,307 to $83,268. The table below provides faculty salary information for the school years 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 for Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Dollar figures have not been adjusted for inflation.[46]

    Average salaries of full-time instructional faculty at public four-year institutions, 2013-2014
    State Average salary 2008-2009 Average salary 2013-2014 Percent change Inflation-adjusted percent change
    Pennsylvania $77,307 $83,268 7.7% -0.3%
    Maryland $80,634 $79,110 -1.9% -5.1%
    New Jersey $95,012 $94,076 -1.0% 0.1%
    New York $80,190 $72,107 -10.1% 1.6%
    United States $76,009 $79,293 4.3% -1.5%
    Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
    Source: Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book Tables"

    Demographics[edit]

    Over the previous two decades, the proportions of female, black, and Hispanic faculty members at public colleges and universities nationwide increased to reach their highest levels ever in the 2013-2014 school year. In Pennsylvania, 41.7 percent of full-time college faculty were female, 4 percent were black, and 3 percent were Hispanic. Female and Hispanic representation in college faculty at that time was higher than in the 1993-1994 school year. However, the percentages of faculty who were female, black, and Hispanic still fell below the proportions of both the general and college student populations who were female, black, and Hispanic. Click [show] on the green bar below the pie charts to view demographic information for full-time faculty at public four-year colleges and universities in Pennsylvania from the 1993-1994 to the 2013-2014 school years. For this reason, the pie chart displays a different figure for 'Other' than the table.

    Pennsylvania college faculty demographics.png
    Pennsylvania college student demographics.png

    Recent news[edit]

    The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Pennsylvania higher education. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

    Higher education in Pennsylvania, 1993-2016 - Google News

    See also[edit]

    Higher education in the 50 states[edit]

    Click on a state below to read more about higher education in that state.

    http://ballotpedia.org/Higher_education_in_STATE

    Footnotes[edit]

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Center for Education Statistics, "College Navigator - Pennsylvania," accessed July 12, 2016
    2. ↑ Note: This indicates the retention rate for all postsecondary students, both full-time and part-time.
    3. ↑ Note: This indicates the percentage of students who graduated from a public four-year institution within six years.
    4. ↑ American Association of State Colleges and Universities, "Top 10 Higher Education State Policy Issues for 2013," January 2013
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 American Council on Education, "An Overview of Higher Education in the United States: Diversity, Access, and the Role of the Marketplace," accessed December 16, 2014
    6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 U.S. News and World Report, "U.S. Higher Education Glossary," August 15, 2011 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "USnews" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "USnews" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "USnews" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "USnews" defined multiple times with different content
    7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, "PASSHE fact sheet," accessed December 23, 2014
    8. ↑ Niche.com, "The 25 oldest colleges in America," accessed December 23, 2014
    9. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named pastateagency
    10. ↑ Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, "About PHEAA," accessed December 23, 2014
    11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, "State Higher Education Finance: FY 2014," accessed July 11, 2016
    12. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 306.60. Fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by race/ethnicity of student and state or jurisdiction: 2013," accessed July 11, 2016
    13. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 304.30. Total fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by attendance status, sex, and state or jurisdiction: 2012 and 2013," accessed July 11, 2016
    14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Miller Center of Public Affairs, "Affirmative Action: Race or Class?" accessed February 10, 2015
    15. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Affirmative Action | Overview," February 7, 2015
    16. ↑ Higher Ed Jobs, "Facts and Myths of Affirmative Action," accessed March 25, 2015
    17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 PBS, "Challenging Race Sensitive Admissions Policies," May 19, 2015
    18. ↑ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, "Affirmative Action," September 17, 2013
    19. ↑ Sander, R. & Taylor S. (2012). Mismatch: How Affirmative Action Hurts Students It's Intended to Help, and Why Universities Won't Admit It. Basic Books.
    20. ↑ The Huffington Post, "Obama Wants To Permanently Link Pell Grants To Inflation," February 11, 2016
    21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 330.20. Average undergraduate tuition and fees and room and board rates charged for full-time students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and level of institution and state or jurisdiction: 2012-13 and 2013-14," accessed July 12, 2016
    22. ↑ The College Board, "Tuition and Fees and Room and Board over Time, 2005-06 to 2015-16," accessed July 12, 2016
    23. ↑ The College Board, "Tuition and Fees by Sector and State over Time," accessed July 12, 2016
    24. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Fast Facts - Financial aid," accessed December 18, 2014
    25. ↑ Federal Student Aid: An Office of the U.S. Department of Education, "Grants and Scholarships," accessed December 18, 2014
    26. ↑ Federal Student Aid: An Office of the U.S. Department of Education, "Loans," accessed December 18, 2014
    27. ↑ Credible, "What are average student loan interest rates?" June 29, 2016
    28. ↑ Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, "Charge-Off and Delinquency Rates on Loans and Leases at Commercial Banks," May 18, 2016
    29. ↑ Federal Student Aid, "Three-year Official Cohort Default Rates for Schools," September 30, 2015
    30. ↑ National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, "45th Annual Survey Report on State-Sponsored Student Financial Aid," accessed July 12, 2016 (Click on "45th Annual Survey" and "NASSGAP Survey Report 13-14" to access this report.)
    31. ↑ The College Board, "Trends in Student Aid," accessed June 30, 2016 (Click on the dropdown menu under "Trends in Student Aid Report Archive" and select 2014 to access this report)
    32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data," accessed July 12, 2016
    33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 CollegeInSight, "Student Debt of Graduating Seniors," accessed July 12, 2016
    34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis, "Retention Rates - First-Time College Freshmen Returning Their Second Year," accessed December 15, 2014
    35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    36. ↑ CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data," accessed July 12, 2016
    37. ↑ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "College Completion: Who graduates from college, who doesn't, and why it matters," accessed December 15, 2014
    38. ↑ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "Graduation rates by state," accessed July 12, 2016
    39. ↑ College Affordability Guide, "2016 Most Affordable Colleges in Pennsylvania," accessed August 17, 2016
    40. ↑ Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, "States Are Still Funding Higher Education Below Pre-Recession Levels," May 1, 2014
    41. ↑ Business Insider, "Public Vs. Private College: Which Is Better For Your Wallet?" May 22, 2013
    42. ↑ Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education, "Top 10 Higher Education State Policy Issues for 2013," January 9, 2013
    43. ↑ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "State Higher-Education Spending Is Up, but Not Above Pre-Recession Level," April 27, 2016
    44. ↑ Grapevine, "Table 1: State Fiscal Support for Higher Education, by State, Fiscal Years 2009-10, 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15," accessed July 12, 2016
    45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book on Higher Education, 2013," accessed January 14, 2015
    46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book Tables," accessed July 12, 2016
    47. ↑ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, "Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Teachers," accessed January 15, 2015
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