Report Higher Education in California: Institutional Costs By Hans Johnson, Patrick Murphy, Margaret Weston, Kevin Cook Nov 12, 2014 Over the past 20 years, in-state tuition at both the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) has more than tripled. These tuition increases have led many to believe that spending in the state’s public higher education systems is out of control. However, a closer look reveals that institutional expenditures in the two systems—including faculty salaries and benefits, the largest budget category—have not increased significantly. Our evaluation of both revenues and expenditures shows that recent tuition increases have been driven by dramatic reductions in state subsidies to UC and CSU. In the past, General Fund contributions covered the majority of educational costs. Today, students (often with help from federal, state, institutional, and private grants) pay most of these costs through tuition and associated fees. Better budget data could help policymakers monitor costs and align higher education funding with state goals. But it is clear that tuition at California’s public universities has risen much more rapidly than the cost of providing higher education.
event Making College Possible for Low-Income Students Oct 17, 2014 About the Program California’s economic future depends on improving college enrollment and completion. But college costs are rising and a majority of students in California’s public schools are from low-income families. PPIC researcher Hans Johnson will examine the role of grant and scholarship aid in making higher education more accessible and helping students complete college. This research was supported with funding from the College Access Foundation of California and the Donald Bren Foundation.
Report Making College Possible for Low-Income Students: Grant and Scholarship Aid in California By Hans Johnson Oct 15, 2014 California’s economic future depends on improving college enrollment and completion. But college costs are rising and a majority of students in California’s public K–12 schools are from low-income families. Policymakers can pursue a number of strategies to make college more affordable and accessible. This research was supported with funding from the College Access Foundation of California and the Donald Bren Foundation.
event The James Irvine Foundation Briefing SeriesStudent Debt and the Value of a College Degree Jun 4, 2013
press release Amid Concerns About Budget Cuts, Most Say Higher Education System Heading in Wrong Direction Nov 16, 2011