AP Success - AP U.S. Gov & Pol: Concept Application: Funding Cuts and Rising Tuitions in US Public Higher Education

According to the National Education Association (NEA), 32 states significantly reduced the amount of money spent on public higher education between 2008 and 2020. Louisiana reduced the amount spent per student per year by $5,500, the biggest drop in the nation. 

Public colleges have made up for the funding shortfall by increasing tuition. Average tuition for public college students in Arizona increased by $5,384 per year between 2008 and 2018, while in Louisiana, the increase was $4,810. Other states cutting funding experienced smaller tuition increases.

Higher tuition and fewer institutional financial aid opportunities have further exacerbated the U.S. student debt crisis. As of February 2023, the outstanding federal loan balance exceeds $1.6 trillion, more than three times the amount compared to just 2006. Federal student debt affects 43.5 million Americans, with the average borrower holding over $37,000 in debt.