Improvement since Measuring Up 2000

Since Measuring Up 2000, 41 states have improved in the majority of measures in providing students and families with an affordable higher education. Since the most recent data used to calculate affordability are from 2000, these improvements reflect the gains made in the late 1990s. Unfortunately, these gains are likely to slip away due to recent tuition increases, declines in family income, and decreased state support for higher education (see “Tuition is Rising as States Face Budget Difficulties,” by William Trombley).

41 States Have Improved in the Majority of Measures

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia

11 States Have Improved in All Measures

Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia

Examples of Improvements from Measuring Up 2000 to Measuring Up 2002

Percent of income needed to pay for college expenses minus financial aid at community colleges (note: drop in percentage denotes improvement)

Georgia: 23% to 18%

Maine: 33% to 23%

Maryland: 26% to 20%

Missouri: 23% to 17%

Utah: 20% to 16%

Wisconsin: 23% to 17%

Percent of income needed to pay for college expenses minus financial aid at public four-year colleges and universities (note: drop in percentage denotes improvement)

Arkansas: 24% to 20%

Georgia: 24% to 18%

New York: 36% to 30%

Virginia: 27% to 21%

Percent of income needed to pay for college expenses minus financial aid at private four-year colleges and universities (note: drop in percentage denotes improvement)

Maine: 86% to 63%

Vermont: 73% to 61%

State grant aid targeted to low-income families as a percent of federal Pell Grant aid to low-income families

Arkansas: 21% to 34%

Florida: 10% to 16%

South Carolina: 24% to 36%