Colorado, again, ranked second to last in a study of state and local support for public higher education, according to a new report by State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO).
In 2012, Colorado finished 48 out of 50 for educational appropriations per full-time equivalent enrolled student in constant 2012 dollars. Specifically, we contributed $2,551 in state and local support for higher education operating expenses, according to the report. Only Vermont contributed less with $2,512. The national average was $5,896.
While our public outlays were low, our tuition was a bit higher. Colorado ranked fourth in term of net tuition as a percentage of total educational revenue – meaning our public colleges and universities rely more heavily on tuition than peers in most other states.
Nationally, educational appropriations (in constant dollars) reached a high in 2001, according to the report. Following declines in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, appropriations picked up for a few years before trending downward again in 2009.
SHEEO is a nonprofit nationwide association of the chief executive officers serving statewide coordinating, policy and governing boards for postsecondary education. Data in the SHEEO report was adjusted for cost of living, enrollment mix, and per capita enrollment rates. For more information visit http://www.sheeo.org/projects/shef-%E2%80%94-state-higher-education-finance.
