State funding of Georgia’s public colleges is better than many states’, but recent budget cuts have forced schools to raise tuition and students to take on more of the cost, according to a new report card on education released this week.
Young Invincibles, a nonprofit millennial think tank and advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., evaluated education funding in each state for two- and four-year public colleges in each state. The report cards are part of the organization’s Student Impact Project, and are meant to provide context and information for students, parents and legislatures, said Tom Allison, the nonprofit’s policy and research manager.
Georgia’s average tuition of $7,823 was lower than the national average, but has increased 67 percent since the recession, according to the report, earning the state an F for its tuition costs. The state also received failing grades in per-student spending and burden on families. Georgia received high marks for prioritizing education and in state aid to students, particularly for the popular HOPE scholarship program.
Young Invincibles’ report cards, which are based on six years of budget and education data, were release this week to coincide with the beginning of the legislative sessions in many states. Georgia’s session begins Jan. 12.
About the Author
