<p>PSU is more crunched than Pitt and it DOES affect merit $. There’s lots of wealthy and enthusiastic alumni at PSU too, but they can’t make up for the shortfall.<br>
From a recent (Fall 2007) budget hearing (quote from Mr. Curley, the PSU Budget Officer)
“Within Pennsylvania, the state appropriation per full-time equivalent (FTE) student at Penn State ($3530) is lower than that at Temple ($5200), Pitt ($5040), and the State System of Higher Education schools. Although enrollment has grown at Penn State since 1977 compared to these other schools, funding has not kept pace and Penn State has fallen behind the other state-related schools. This is one reason for the increases in tuition, and Penn State having high tuition costs. Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses, in particular, face stiff competition from the lower cost community colleges and State System schools”.</p>