Muskegon Sun

Funding for Michigan colleges and universities have declined over the past 20 years, but tuition has continued to rise in the state. 

Taxpayer support for Michigan’s 15 state universities has dropped substantially since the recession of 2008, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential (MCC). Adjusting to inflation, tuition for the average student has increased $2.9 billion since 2000. 

Meanwhile, state appropriations have gone down $1.24 billion in the same time frame. 

| https://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/

College tuition around the country has continued to climb over the past two decades while less money is contributed to colleges and universities. 

“In 1999-2000, Michigan’s 15 state universities received the equivalent of $2.082 billion in state tax dollars,” MCC posted on its website. “In contrast, in 2018-19, appropriations for the 15 schools totaled $1.546 billion.”

While contributions continue to drop, tuition continues to rise. Many students have seen the price of their education increase from year to year. 

“It adds up to a $2.886 billion increase in tuition payments, compared to a $1.24 billion reduction in state funding after adjusting for inflation,” MCC wrote.

If Michigan’s universities are not being supported by the state, then schools will continue to increase tuition and push for increased enrollment in order to generate revenue.