<p>The state funding ONLY supports lower tuition for in-state students. Cutting that funding would hurt in-state students, but there wouldn’t be much effect on classes, resources and opportunities for those attending. Pitt has the endowment, offers scholarships to out-of-state students, attracts a lot of research and grant funding, etc.</p>
<p>Pitt can go back to fully private much easier than Penn State could. Both have been making noise about it. In Pitt’s case, they would become like Syracuse again. One of the Penn State trustees spoke out loud about the Cornell model, but I’m not sure that could really work for Penn State. Both seem reluctant to give up the public mission, but they have to be thinking about it. Right now, the level of state funding probably doesn’t fully fund the difference in tuition. At the same time, the state insists on more control. At some point the schools may decide to sever ties with the state.</p>