Public Higher Education In Missouri:

Disturbing Trends

In the past 25 years, public financial support for higher education has declined by one-third, and students and their families have seen tuition and fees increase to make up the difference. In Missouri, these trends are more extreme than in most states. Consider the following facts about Missouri’s public higher education:

• Missouri paid 81.6% of students’ educational expenses in 1980 and only 46.0% in 2007. (President Nietzel, State of the University address, MSU)

• The percentage of Missouri’s budget dedicated to higher education was 16.8% in 1980 and 12.7% in 2007. (President Nietzel, State of the University address, MSU)

• In FY2004, the national average for state funded tuition aid per FTE was $305,000, while Missouri provided $160,000 or 52.5% of the national average. (SHEEO, SHEF Report FY2004)

• Tuition at Missouri’s public four-year colleges and universities increased 58% between FY2001 and FY2006. (Missouri Budget Project)

• Nationally, between FY2001 and FY2006, states averaged an increase in appropriations for higher education of 9.9%. In Missouri, appropriations declined 10.8% or $103.3 million (from $959.4 to $856.1 million) during this same period. (Grapevine, Illinois State University)

• Nationally, in FY2006, state support for higher education increased 6%, while Missouri’s increase was 0.1%. (President Nietzel, State of the University address, MSU)

• Missouri ranks 46^th among all states in appropriations for higher education. (Grapevine, Illinois State University)

These facts indicate that Missouri is falling behind in public support of higher education. Compared to national averages, or what our surrounding 7 states appropriate, Missouri is clearly falling behind, as the following table illustrates.

Appropriations per $1000 Personal Income & Per Capita

(Grapevine, Illinois State University)

Missouri needs an investment formula for higher education tied to a reliable and adequate revenue source.

Compiled by John B. Harms, Missouri State University

President, Missouri Conference of American Association of University Professors

2006