Massachusetts continues to rank as one of the highest educated states, despite an uncertain economy. A college education can open doors in fields like sales, education, finance, and manufacturing - and can drastically increase earnings potential.
High tuition and fees combined with decreased grant aid are making degrees unaffordable to many students, leading to reduced attainment rates and greater debt loads for many graduates. Altering this situation could increase attainment while decreasing student debt levels.
What is the education scene like?
Massachusetts enjoys an excellent reputation as the college town state, boasting top-ranked public universities and high rates of college attendance. Massachusetts is also widely considered to be among the nation's most educated states due to comparatively low dropout rates and outstanding scores on national standardized tests.
But the State is also beset with educational inequality, evidenced by some of the nation's highest income gaps and educational attainment gaps. Although its universities may be elite in terms of both exclusivity and cost, many students find them out of reach due to both factors.
Public colleges across the nation are cutting spending, shifting costs from states onto students and families, with tuition rising faster than median household income.
Massachusetts state funding for higher education has declined approximately 30 percent since the Great Recession; this trend can be found nationally and is fuelling an affordability crisis that threatens further increase of costs associated with college attendance.
Massachusetts boasts some of the top schools in the nation, but if you're seeking an affordable degree it's essential to do your research. The College Board recently released its annual list of Best Value Colleges; four out of the five public universities located here make the cut!
Massachusetts boasts several private universities and colleges, including two Judaic postsecondary institutions. Catholic institutions include Boston College, College of the Holy Cross and Stonehill College - while Massachusetts Amherst holds its sole public land-grant university status with a longstanding tradition in engineering and science education.
State public higher education system of Massachusetts comprises 15 community colleges and nine state universities. Students can enroll in any of the Commonwealth Honors programs offered at community colleges, or any of six comprehensive state universities such as Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Salem State University, Worcester State University or Westfield State University that boast world-class research and development projects as well as internship and externship opportunities to gain real world experience in their chosen field of study.
What is the job market like?
Massachusetts stands out as being one of the highest educated states, which contributes to our economy's health and strength. Unfortunately, however, its high cost limits access for many residents; particularly low-income families and students of color who might otherwise have taken advantage of these opportunities.
An understanding of these students' needs was among the main impetus behind a group of leaders from Boston/Metro North coming together to form "Addressing the Labor Shortage in Boston/Metro North: Engaging Untapped Talent". Funded through grants from Eastern Bank Foundation and SkillWorks, this project researched local data regarding education, labor market trends and state workforce needs in order to identify strategies which would increase opportunities for residents with postsecondary credentials to find work within their region.
Boston/Metro North boasts a higher proportion of working-age residents and civilian labor force participants with bachelor's degrees or above than the state overall; yet its residents possess significantly fewer associate's or some college education than elsewhere in Massachusetts.
Though four-year public colleges in the region boast relatively high graduation rates, these institutions remain out of reach for many low-income and students of color. Two thirds of Latino and Black adults living in this region enroll at underfunded community colleges with dismally low graduation rates; unfortunately, California's system for financing higher education does little to address this problem.
Employers are finding it increasingly challenging to recruit and retain workers in today's tight labor market, and long term trends indicate this problem will only become more acute in future years. Birth rates are dropping, out-migration is on the rise and immigration has decreased, which reduces the number of young people entering the workforce every year. Without employment, it becomes even harder for these individuals to pay for higher education costs. Governor Baker and Attorney General Healey recently unveiled a program making public four-year universities tuition-free for Pell Grant eligible students and half-price for middle-income students - something made possible thanks to voters who approved a surtax on Bay Staters earning over $1 Million last year. It's therefore especially crucial that they use part of this $62 million pot voted by voters last year in approving it as a funding source for this initiative.
What is the cost of education in Massachusetts?
Though Massachusetts boasts an exceptional education system, that doesn't make it accessible or affordable for every family. According to estimates based on net costs (tuition fees plus living expenses such as food and housing), less grants or scholarships from colleges.
Low-income students' numbers are particularly telling. Only 18 percent of black and a quarter of Latino adults in Massachusetts hold bachelor's degrees compared to 45 percent for white adults despite attending community colleges more easily accessible than four-year universities; this disparity can be partially explained by how Massachusetts funds higher education, where community colleges receive less than their share in state funding.
Though the state recently approved a budget that improved affordability on campus, public higher education remains out of reach for many students. A number of legislative plans--such as CHERISH Act and Debt-Free Public Higher Education Act--would make college more affordable by increasing access to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid.
As part of its funding system, California uses an antiquated funding method, in which each community college and four-year university receives its own line item in the budget. This limits how much state money can reach each institution. As such, student financial aid cannot be awarded freely, forcing institutions to charge higher tuition to cover costs.
Institutions also must service significant capital and construction-related debts each year, leading to higher tuition. A recent working group of educators found that UMass and state universities collectively owed $4.2 billion in capital debt as well as significant deferred maintenance costs that increased tuition rates.
Good news is that the gap between what families can afford and university costs is decreasing nationwide, yet more investments must be made if we wish Massachusetts to remain an education and innovation center. I am therefore proud to support legislation like CHERISH Act which would make higher education more affordable in Massachusetts.
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