Colleges have to be run more efficiently. In Illinois 50% of instate kids go out of state mostly due to the costs of Illinois colleges. Our governor just got a windfall of money and doesn’t seem to be addressing the problem. Eastern and Western Illinois Universities have sharply dwindling enrollment. So the solution is to build $100 million dollars science centers on each campus. Don’t think students are going to flock to these campuses once a new science building is built. I don’t know maybe lowering tuition or offering more scholarships might be a good start? With University of Illinois-Champaign it also has lost seats but I am not to sure they care. They now have many OOS families willing to pay and no question they went after Asians since their goal was to raise internationals to about 20% due to full tuition. The next few years will be telling. So many families I talk to UIUC is not there first choice anymore due to cost. Iowa, Iowa State, Alabama, Miami of Ohio, Case Western, etc. All due to merit. Families that said they would never in a million years send their kids Alabama said that’s where their kids are going since they know families before them and the students “love” the experience. Guess Alabama is rolling out the red carpet with 3/4 - full tuition paid!
So UIUC could lower tuition but that’s never happening and /or increase scholarships. Families with $65,000 or lower can go there free now but middle class will look elsewhere.