N※N

Media and Entertainment
Source : (remove) : WMUR
^{RSS • JSON • XML • CSV}

Media and Entertainment
Source : (remove) : WMUR
^{RSS • JSON • XML • CSV}

New Hampshire Ranks Last in Public Higher Education Funding, Sparking Reform Calls

New Hampshire Ranks Last in Public Higher Education Funding, Sparking Calls for Reform

In a stark revelation that underscores ongoing challenges in the Granite State's education landscape, New Hampshire has once again been ranked dead last among all 50 states for public funding of higher education. This dubious distinction comes from a recent analysis by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO), which examines state appropriations for public colleges and universities on a per-student basis. The report highlights how New Hampshire's minimal investment in its public higher education system is contributing to skyrocketing tuition costs, increased student debt, and broader accessibility issues that affect residents across the state.

The SHEEO data paints a grim picture: New Hampshire allocates just $3,000 per full-time equivalent student in state funding for public higher education, a figure that lags far behind the national average of approximately $9,000. This places the state at the bottom of the rankings, with neighbors like Vermont and Massachusetts faring significantly better. For context, states like Wyoming and Alaska top the list with per-student funding exceeding $15,000, demonstrating a commitment to subsidizing public universities that New Hampshire notably lacks. This low funding level has persisted for years, with New Hampshire consistently ranking near the bottom in similar reports over the past decade, signaling a chronic underinvestment that educators and policymakers argue is unsustainable.

At the heart of the issue is the structure of New Hampshire's public higher education system, which includes institutions like the University of New Hampshire (UNH), Plymouth State University, Keene State College, and the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH). These schools rely heavily on tuition revenue to operate, as state appropriations cover only a small fraction of their budgets. For instance, at UNH, state funding accounts for less than 10% of the operating budget, forcing the university to pass costs onto students through higher fees. This model has led to in-state tuition rates that are among the highest in the nation for public universities. According to the report, the average net price for attending a public four-year institution in New Hampshire is over $18,000 annually after grants and scholarships, compared to a national average closer to $15,000. For two-year community colleges, the disparity is even more pronounced, making what should be affordable pathways to education increasingly out of reach for low- and middle-income families.

Advocates for education reform point out that this funding shortfall has ripple effects beyond just tuition hikes. It contributes to New Hampshire's brain drain, where young, educated residents leave the state for better opportunities elsewhere, exacerbating workforce shortages in key sectors like healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. The state's aging population and low birth rates already pose demographic challenges, and without a robust public higher education system to train and retain talent, economic growth could stall. Furthermore, the lack of investment hampers efforts to address equity gaps; students from underrepresented backgrounds, including first-generation college attendees and those from rural areas, face steeper barriers to entry. Programs aimed at workforce development, such as apprenticeships and vocational training through CCSNH, are underfunded, limiting their capacity to meet the demands of New Hampshire's evolving job market.

State officials and higher education leaders have responded to the ranking with a mix of acknowledgment and calls for action. Governor Chris Sununu's administration has defended the state's fiscal conservatism, emphasizing New Hampshire's lack of broad-based taxes like sales or income taxes, which limits revenue streams for education funding. However, critics argue that this no-tax pledge comes at a high cost to public services, including higher education. In recent budget cycles, there have been modest increases in appropriations—for example, a $10 million boost in the last biennial budget—but these increments are seen as insufficient to reverse the trend. The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) has lobbied for greater support, proposing initiatives like the Granite Guarantee, which offers free tuition to eligible in-state students at community colleges, but even this program relies on private donations and federal aid rather than stable state funding.

Educators and students are vocal about the real-world impacts. Faculty at public institutions report larger class sizes, outdated facilities, and challenges in attracting top talent due to uncompetitive salaries. Students, meanwhile, are burdened with debt; New Hampshire consistently ranks among the top states for average student loan debt per graduate, often exceeding $35,000. Personal stories abound: a Plymouth State senior might describe juggling multiple jobs to afford tuition, while a CCSNH alumnus could recount how high costs deterred peers from pursuing degrees altogether. These anecdotes underscore a broader narrative of missed opportunities, where potential innovators, teachers, and entrepreneurs are sidelined by financial hurdles.

Looking ahead, the SHEEO report serves as a catalyst for potential policy changes. Advocacy groups like the New Hampshire Higher Education Coalition are pushing for legislative reforms, including dedicated funding streams tied to economic development goals. Proposals include reallocating portions of the state's business profits tax or exploring public-private partnerships to bolster university endowments. There’s also discussion around performance-based funding models, where state dollars are allocated based on metrics like graduation rates and job placement success, incentivizing efficiency without slashing support.

Comparatively, other New England states offer models for improvement. Massachusetts, for instance, has invested heavily in its public universities through initiatives like the MassGrant program, resulting in higher enrollment and better outcomes. Vermont's focus on rural access and affordability has helped it climb rankings despite similar demographic pressures. New Hampshire could draw lessons from these examples, perhaps by integrating higher education funding into broader economic strategies, such as attracting tech firms that require a skilled workforce.

Ultimately, this ranking is more than a statistic—it's a wake-up call for New Hampshire to rethink its priorities. With the next legislative session on the horizon, there's an opportunity to address these deficiencies and invest in a system that supports all residents. Failure to do so risks perpetuating a cycle of underfunding that undermines the state's future prosperity. As one education expert noted in the report, "Public higher education is the engine of opportunity; without fuel, it grinds to a halt." For New Hampshire, the path forward involves not just acknowledging the problem but committing to meaningful, sustained investment to climb out of last place and build a brighter educational landscape. (Word count: 928)

Read the Full WMUR Article at:
[ https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-public-higher-education-rank-81425/65784825 ]