Michigan's public colleges and universities have become steadily less affordable over the past two decades, mirroring a national trend where state funding of public higher education has not kept pace with costs, leading to increased tuition and fees. States continually assess their higher education tuition and other policies in comparison to their…

Colleges and universities frequently find that students cite financial pressures as a significant obstacle in their progress toward college completion. This can particularly be a challenge for first-time-in-college (FTIC) students, students from traditionally underserved populations, and students of color. To help address this issue, many…

College plays a critical role in providing opportunities for economic mobility, yet degree attainment by race is inequitable. Currently, more than half of young white adults hold at least a two-year college degree, compared to 37 percent of Black young adults. Less than a third of Hispanic, American Indian, and Hawaiian or Pacific Islander young…

"While community college enrollment has generally declined by about 2 or 3 percent annually in recent years--due to some extent to the improving economy--some colleges have bucked the trend" (Ashford 2015). What made the difference? Like many community colleges, College of DuPage has been concerned with access and affordability. The…

"National CrossTalk" is a publication of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. The National Center promotes public policies that enhance opportunities for quality education and training beyond high school. The primary purpose of "National CrossTalk" is to stimulate informed discussion and debate of higher…

This report addresses college affordability in Illinois from the student's perspective and makes specific recommendations to improve affordability at public institutions of higher education. The report also seeks to make students and their families more aware of the close connection between academic preparation, progress, and college costs. It…

This report presents analyses of trends in tuition and fees, students' ability to pay, instructional costs, state support, and other information related to tuition and fee decisions at Illinois higher education institutions. It provides tables and explanatory text on changes in median family income, inflation, student charges, and student…

This report examines recent national and Illinois trends in college tuition and fees, instructional costs and state support, indicators of economic conditions and families' ability to pay for colleges, and student financial aid. It also includes general affordability goals for Illinois higher education and recommendations on keeping college costs…

This report examined changes in the affordability of a college education in Illinois, providing trend data on affordability from fiscal year (FY) 1982 through FY 1998. Affordability was examined for the average income of the three lowest income quintiles of Illinois families. Overall, the report found that public universities and private…

This annual report on college affordability provides information pertinent to tuition and fee decision making designed to assist Illinois college and university governing boards in finding a balance between keeping college affordable for students and generating sufficient revenue to defray a portion of the cost of providing quality instruction.…

This report summarizes staff recommendations of the Illinois Board of Higher Education concerning budget recommendations for higher education operations and grants for fiscal year 1998. The report also includes recommendations for state appropriated revolving funds, locally held university income funds, and other appropriated funds. Specific…

This document presents new or revised master plan policy statements for various segments of Illinois higher education. Chapter 1, on statewide goals and organization, lists goals for Illinois higher education, for coordination and planning, for the Board of Higher Education membership; and briefly discusses the organizational structure of public…