Public research universities increase OOS students at the expense of low-income and URM students

Applying to College
1

I found this research paper to be really interesting. They analyzed admissions at public research universities and found that increasing percentages of [wealthy] OOS students is correlated with decreasing percentages of low-income and URM students. Large state universities have been looking to increase OOS admissions due to decreasing state funds and an interest in 1) getting more higher tuition-paying students, and 2) to “recruit students with academic profiles valued by ranking methodologies” (i.e. kids with high test scores that can boost selectivity rankings).

One fact that caught me by surprise: “By 2014, however, mean family income at the University of Michigan approached $200,000”. That’s MEAN income. Compare this to the mean income in Michigan of less than $49,000. I don’t know how this compares to other state uni’s (Michigan is not a “meets full need” institution, correct?), but this number jarred me.

The authors’ conclusion, in part…“…in their eagerness today to connect with the public beyond the state’s borders, many are losing sight of the public at their doorstep. Reversing this trend will require collective commitment to reclaiming the democratic focus of public higher education, including renewed financial support by state governments, rejection of the narrow metrics for student and institutional quality that U.S. News and World Report promotes, and a redoubling of attention by public university leaders to the needs of their states and the communities within them.”

http://web.missouri.edu/~cursb/research/tuition-rich-mission-poor-jaquette-curs-posselt-10-24-2014.pdf

2

I am sure the many fine flagships, some at the doorsteps of state legislatures, would love to have their percentages of state funding replenished back to what they were a few decades ago. That would provide more flexibility in their respective operating budgets re: tuition revenues, and consequently affect flexibility in admissions strategies.

The likelihood of this happening is perhaps only slightly less than making all state universities tuition-free. Also, while I certainly agree the economics are certainly a bone of contention and can be increasingly prohibitive, there are advantages to intra- and international student bodies in terms of cultural diversity and academic stimulation, if unfortunately not SES diversity.

3

Well, this is certainly interesting. Let me see if I am understanding this correctly.

When colleges increase numbers of students who CAN pay, it results in a decrease of students who CAN’T pay?

4

UMich DOES meet need for in-state students.

5

^That is exactly why there is a difference. Also with the high OOS CoA and lack of FA. Only rich OOS students can attend. You probably need to make way over $200K in order to pay $60k a year.