Tuition Hike Hurts Families And State Economy

The Eaves Campaign released this statement on the tuition increase approved today:


“Under the current administration, public college tuition in Mississippi has increased by 25 percent. The cost of a college education is quickly becoming out of reach for middle-class, working families in Mississippi,” Eaves said. “We have provided tax relief to big corporations who want to build plants in our state, and we have an obligation to provide tax relief that makes a quality college education affordable to all Mississippians who work hard and play by the rules.”

“Higher education results in better wages, increased productivity and an increase in tax revenue for the state, and those things bring about a better quality of life for all Mississippians,” Eaves said. “Education is the future of our economy. We should not tax our future.”


I particularly agree with the part about education spurring development. We should not fight for low skill jobs because many of those jobs are the ones that can be easily moved to other countries. Quality companies are attracted most by good infrastructure and an educated workforce. Home grown businesses grow best under those conditions also.

State College Board Raises Mississippi Tuition

Mississippi's public colleges have again balanced their budgets on students by while increasing salaries and positions for faculty. Adding more and more cost to a public education is no doubt robbing many of an education they are capable of mentally, but unable to afford.

An example of the ridiculous raises originally requested is the University of Southern Mississippi's President Shelby Thames asking for a 12% tuition hike. 12 percent!

The College Board voted for a 7% percent increase, but that still adds up to about $300 per year which is the same as some college students make in two weeks. It really adds to the burden.

The College Board alone cannot be blamed though. The total dollars the state puts toward higher education per student has dropped from a high of $6,321 in 2000 to $5,103 in fiscal year 2005. That makes for a hole of $1,218 that must be filled.

It is time for this state to realize that education is not it first priority, but a bare necessity and find the resources necessary to deliver the goods without leaving its potential students out to dry.