The Value of Public Universities

In a time when the economy is pushing students to run to state universities for the perceived bargin tuition, there are some things to consider before signing the check.

As mentioned in a previous post, the economy has hit public universities in many ways, from budget cuts to reduction in staffing. Universities continue to eliminate academic departments with low numbers – just recently Michigan State University recommended cutting the Classics Department. Athletic programs are being cut too, including heavy hitters like football. Recently Northeastern University, Western Washington University and Hofstra University in Long Island have cut their football programs, effective immediately. Professors are being shown no mercy either – this year the University of Washington will lay off 600 faculty members and administrative staff. At the same time, they will raise tuition by 14% and reduce student enrollment by 15%. They lead the nation in budget cuts at 26%.

What does that mean to you – the student? For starters, you better do your homework to ensure that the university of your choice will still offer your major the following year. You should read up on athletics if you plan to play, or seek a college with that “rah-rah” football spirit. And finally, you should think about how the cuts will affect your academic experience in the classroom – will it mean more students and less professor interaction? You decide.

If you do decide that a public university is the best value for you, Kiplinger released its 2009-2010 guide to the Best Values in Public Colleges. There are no surprises with The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Virginia rounding out the top of the list. Western Washington University is ranked 54th and University of Washington is ranked 7th.