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Higher education in Alabama, 1993-2016

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Higher education
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Enrollment statistics
Tuition statistics
Financial aid statistics
Retention rates
Graduation rates
Higher education funding
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Alabama's higher education system is composed of 78 colleges and universities. Of these, 40 are public institutions, 21 are nonprofit private schools, and 17 are for-profit private institutions.[1]

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Public university tuition in Alabama increased 67 percent between 2005-2006 and 2015-2016, about three times the rate of inflation.
  • Average student debt held in Alabama amounted to about $29,425, ranking 10th highest in the country.
  • At public four-year colleges in Alabama, 25.9 percent of students graduated within four years, while 49.5 percent graduated within six years. These figures were lower than in neighboring states.

    • Higher education policy decisions can affect college access, the retention of students and the eventual completion of their degrees, student rights on campus, students' financial burden in the form of debt, and their employment prospects after graduation. Click on the tabs below to learn more about higher education in Alabama.

    Overview

    Education Policy Logo on Ballotpedia.png
    Overview
    Total number of schools:
    78
    Public schools:
    40
    State agency:
    Alabama Commission on Higher Education
    Retention rate:
    65%[2]
    Graduation rate:
    49.5%[3]
    Average public in-state tuition:
    $8,503
    Total funding for public higher education:
    $1,465,539,719
    Funding per full-time student:
    $5,673
    Public Policy Logo-one line.png
    Higher education in the United States • Education policy • Education policy in the United States • Public education in Alabama

    Overview

    Higher education policy refers to the decisions made by the federal government, state legislatures, higher education boards, and colleges and universities themselves. These decisions can affect how state funding is allocated, who sets tuition and at what level, campus resources available for academically struggling students, degrees and programs offered, and state financial aid eligibility and award amounts, as some examples. Higher education entities also set policies that manage campus environments, such as the prohibition or allowance of guns on campus and rules regarding free speech and student protests.[4]

    Generally speaking, there are four types of postsecondary educational institutions in the United States:[5][6]

    1. Public two-year institutions, which are most commonly known as community colleges, typically "award associate degrees in vocational fields [and] prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions." These schools are financed in large part with public funds. The Alabama Community College System is an example of a public two-year institution in Alabama.[5][6]
    2. Public four-year colleges and universities award baccalaureate and/or graduate degrees. Traditionally, a distinction has been made between colleges and universities, with colleges awarding only four-year degrees and universities awarding both four-year and graduate-level degrees; however, these two terms are often used interchangeably today. Like their two-year counterparts, public four-year colleges and universities are financed largely with public funds. Alabama State University and the University of Alabama are examples of public four-year institutions in Alabama.[5][6]
    3. Private nonprofit institutions can vary dramatically in size, course offerings and mission. These institutions do not receive public funding directly. Instead, private nonprofit schools are financed primarily by tuition, gifts, and endowments. These schools do not generate profit. Amridge University and Selma University are examples of private nonprofit institutions in Alabama.[5][6]
    4. Private for-profit institutions typically specialize in vocational education. Like their nonprofit counterparts, these schools do not receive public funds. These mainly online universities generally serve older students and endeavor to generate profits. Examples in Alabama include Columbia Southern University and Brown Mackie College (Birmingham).[5][6]

    Alabama's first postsecondary institution, Athens State University, was founded in 1822 as Athens Female Academy. The school changed hands and names on several occasions. In 1975, the school became part of the state higher education system. The state's first public postsecondary school, known today as the University of Alabama, was opened in 1831.[7][8]

    As of July 2016, there were 40 public colleges and universities in Alabama, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. These are listed in the table below.[1]

    State agencies

    The Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) is charged with the following responsibilities:[9]

    University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
    “
    • Coordinate statewide planning efforts in higher education with K-12 and education partners
    • Approve new academic programs, new units of instruction, and off-campus instruction
    • Review and make recommendations concerning existing programs
    • Facilitate coordination for higher education that utilizes institutional planning efforts to support a statewide plan
    • Prepare an annual budget recommendation for the governor and the legislature
    • Review institutional facilities masterplans and report to trustees and the legislature
    • Maintain an electronic student unit record system to provide instructional information and student data to assist in decision making[9][10]
    		 ”
    —Alabama Commission on Higher Education

    Created in 1969, ACHE is composed of 12 members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and the speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives and confirmed by the Alabama State Senate.[11]

    Admissions

    Enrollment

    See also: Higher education enrollment statistics

    According to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, college enrollment typically rises during economic downturns and declines as the economy improves. In 2014, higher education enrollment nationwide was 8.6 percent higher than pre-recession levels in 2008. However, enrollment has been declining since 2012. Full-time enrollment in higher education institutions rose sharply following the recession before peaking in 2011 and then dropping off.[12]

    College enrollment in Alabama followed this trend; between 2012 and 2014, full-time enrollment decreased from about 206,400 to about 195,700. In 2014, full-time college enrollment in Alabama was 4.6 percent higher than in 2008. Click [show] on the green bar below the bar chart to view full-time public university enrollment in Alabama as compared to surrounding states.

    Alabama higher ed enrollment 2016.png

    Demographics

    Enrollment by race and ethnicity

    In Alabama, total enrollment—full-time and part-time—in all public and private higher education institutions amounted to 305,712 in fall 2013. About 61.6 percent of these students were white. Black students comprised approximately 29.3 percent of the total postsecondary student population in Alabama. During that time, 63 percent of the state's general population was white and 30 percent was black, with other ethnic groups making up the remainder. The table below lists demographic information for both postsecondary students and the general population in Alabama and surrounding states.[13]

    Higher education enrollment by race/ethnicity, 2013
    State Population category White Black Hispanic Asian Pacific Islander American Indian/Alaska Native Two or more races Non-resident alien
    Alabama Postsecondary students 61.6% 29.3% 2.8% 1.7% 0.1% 0.7% 1.5% 2.2%
    General population 63.0% 30.0% 2.9% 1.8% 0.1% 0.7% 1.5% N/A
    Florida Postsecondary students 47.0% 19.7% 23.8% 3.1% 0.2% 0.4% 2.5% 3.3%
    General population 48.6% 20.4% 24.6% 3.2% 0.2% 0.4% 2.6% N/A
    Georgia Postsecondary students 50.5% 33.6% 5.6% 4.4% 0.1% 0.3% 2.2% 3.3%
    General population 52.2% 34.7% 5.8% 4.5% 0.1% 0.3% 2.2% N/A
    Mississippi Postsecondary students 55.3% 38.8% 1.8% 1.1% 0.1% 0.4% 1.1% 1.4%
    General population 56.0% 39.3% 1.8% 1.2% 0.1% 0.4% 1.1% N/A
    United States Postsecondary students 56.9% 14.1% 15.2% 5.9% 0.3% 0.8% 2.7% 4.1%
    General population 59.3% 14.7% 15.8% 6.1% 0.3% 0.8% 2.9% N/A
    Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 306.60. Fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by race/ethnicity of student and state or jurisdiction: 2013"

    Enrollment by sex

    In 2013, 57.4 percent of all postsecondary students in Alabama were female, which was higher than the national rate of 56.5 percent. The table below lists postsecondary student enrollment by sex in Alabama and surrounding states.[14]

    Higher education enrollment by sex, 2013
    State Total students Male students Percentage Female students Percentage
    Alabama 305,712 130,114 42.6% 175,598 57.4%
    Florida 1,125,810 473,342 42.0% 652,468 58.0%
    Georgia 533,424 218,143 40.9% 315,281 59.1%
    Mississippi 173,634 68,566 39.5% 105,068 60.5%
    United States 20,375,789 8,860,786 43.5% 11,515,003 56.5%
    Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 304.30. Total fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by attendance status, sex, and state or jurisdiction: 2012 and 2013"

    Affirmative action

    See also: Affirmative action and Affirmative action in Alabama

    Federal law requires government contractors and other departments and agencies receiving federal funding to develop and implement affirmative action plans for the hiring process. Public colleges and universities are considered federal contractors and must utilize affirmative action in their employment practices. However, many private and public colleges and universities across the country have also implemented similar measures in their admissions processes. These actions are typically voluntary, although a handful of states have adopted rules that require state universities to take affirmative action in admissions.[15][16][17]

    Affirmative action admissions programs were undertaken by public and private universities alike, beginning in the late 1960s and 1970s. Some universities initially established quotas in order to achieve a demographically diverse student body; these quotas were outlawed by the United States Supreme Court in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke in 1978.[15][18]

    Affirmative action can also take other forms, such as targeted outreach campaigns. Today, a common form of affirmative action in college admissions is that of racial preferences. A preference occurs when a group of applicants is more likely to be admitted than other applicants with similar or better qualifications due to other factors, such as race or ethnicity. Preferences are also sometimes extended towards women, athletes, and children of alumni. The use of racial preferences may be related to college selectivity: scholars such as law professor Richard Sander have found that preferences are strongest at elite institutions.[15][18][19][20]

    Eight states have enacted laws banning the consideration of race in university admissions. As of March 2015, Alabama was not one of these states. Some universities in Alabama do utilize affirmative action; in particular, the University of Alabama engages in a number of outreach programs to recruit minority applicants. No public four-year universities in Alabama reported considering race in admissions, as indicated in the chart below.[21]

    Consideration of race at public four-year universities in Alabama
    School Race/ethnicity is... School selectivity*
    Very important Important Considered Not considered
    Alabama A & M University
    {{{1}}}
    		 N/A
    Alabama State University
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    Athens State University N/A N/A
    Auburn University
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Auburn University at Montgomery
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Jacksonville State University
    {{{1}}}
    		 N/A
    Troy University
    {{{1}}}
    		 Very selective
    University of Alabama
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    University of Alabama at Birmingham
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    University of Alabama in Huntsville
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    University of Montevallo
    {{{1}}}
    		 N/A
    University of North Alabama
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    University of South Alabama
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    University of West Alabama
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    Sources: The College Board, "Big Future". Reproduced with permission.
    CollegeData, "College 411"
    *Note: College selectivity comes from the College Board and is measured as follows: Most selective, less than 25 percent admitted; Very selective, 25 percent to 50 percent admitted; Somewhat selective, 50 percent to 75 percent admitted; Less selective, more than 75 percent admitted; Open admission, all or most admitted.


    Student costs

    See also: Higher education tuition statistics

    In-state and private tuition

    Tuition accounts for just a portion of student costs; in many states, the cost of room and board equals or surpasses the cost of tuition at public universities. However, unlike room and board, tuition has risen much faster than inflation, increasing by 40 percent between the 2005-2006 and the 2015-2016 school years. The consumer price index increased by 21.5 percent over the same time period. Some studies suggest that universities have increased tuition in response to state budget cuts, while others correlate rising tuition with the availability of financial aid.[22][23][24]

    In the 2013-2014 academic year, the national average in-state cost for tuition and required fees at a public four-year school totaled $8,312. For a private four-year school, the average was $25,696. In Alabama, these figures were higher for public schools and lower for private schools: $8,503 and $14,201, respectively. Public university tuition in the state increased 67 percent between 2005-2006 and 2015-2016. The graph below displays average tuition prices in Alabama as compared to the nationwide average for each year during that time. Hover over the points to view precise figures. The table below the graph compares 2013-2014 average annual tuition costs in Alabama with those in surrounding states.[23][25]

    Note: Discrepancies in data between the line graph and the table below are due to differing sources of information.

    Higher education tuition and fees at 4-year institutions, 2013-2014 (in current dollars)
    State Public in-state Private
    2012-2013 2013-2014 Percent change 2012-2013 2013-2014 Percent change
    Alabama $8,073 $8,503 5.3% $13,983 $14,201 1.6%
    Florida $4,377 $4,423 1.1% $20,155 $20,971 4.0%
    Georgia $6,325 $6,614 4.6% $22,456 $23,521 4.7%
    Mississippi $6,147 $6,612 7.6% $14,592 $15,042 3.1%
    United States $8,070 $8,312 3.0% $24,525 $25,696 4.8%
    Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
    Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 330.20. Average undergraduate tuition and fees and room and board rates charged for full-time students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and level of institution and state or jurisdiction: 2012-13 and 2013-14"

    Out-of-state tuition

    See also: Higher education tuition statistics

    Public postsecondary schools receive some of their funding from their state's government. This money in turn comes from taxation of the state's residents. Since neither out-of-state students nor their parents paid that state's taxes, the schools charge these students additional tuition to account for the difference. This additional charge is a significant increase over in-state tuition in all 50 states. In the 2013-2014 school year, out-of-state students nationwide paid an average of $22,603 in annual tuition and required fees, 272 percent higher than the in-state average of $8,312.[23]

    Students attending public postsecondary institutions in Alabama from outside of the state were required to pay an average of $21,389, a 252 percent difference over the average in-state tuition of $8,503. The average out-of-state tuition price for Alabama was lower than the national average by about $1,200. The table below compares in-state and out-of-state tuition figures for Alabama with those of surrounding states.

    Average annual in-state and out-of-state tuition and required fees, 2013-2014
    State Average in-state tuition Average out-of-state tuition Percent difference
    Alabama $8,503 $21,389 252%
    Florida $4,423 $17,077 386%
    Georgia $6,614 $23,730 359%
    Mississippi $6,612 $15,980 242%
    United States $8,312 $22,603 272%
    Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
    Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 330.20. Average undergraduate tuition and fees and room and board rates charged for full-time students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and level of institution and state or jurisdiction: 2012-13 and 2013-14"

    Financial aid

    See also: Higher education financial aid statistics

    The federal government provides financial aid to undergraduate students in the form of grants and loans. Notable grants administered by the United States government include Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG). Loan programs administered by the federal government include the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program and Federal Perkins Loan Program. Perkins Loans have an interest rate of 5 percent, while Direct Loans have interest rates that vary based on the date of disbursement and the loan type: loans disbursed between July 1, 2014, and July 1, 2017, have interest rates ranging from 3.76 percent to 7.21 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the average default rate on Perkins Loans was 11.8 percent for borrowers who entered into repayment in 2012; the rate reflects borrowers who defaulted prior to September 30, 2014. This is compared to average default rates of 7.2 percent on home loans and 2.23 percent on credit card loans in 2014.[26][27][28][29][30][31]

    In addition, colleges and universities often offer institution-specific financial aid to their students, and individual states may also administer student financial aid programs. According to the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, the states disbursed approximately $11.7 billion in state-based financial aid to postsecondary students in the 2013-2014 academic year. This represented about 5 percent of all financial aid provided to undergraduate students, according to The College Board. Alabama awarded $9.5 million in state-based financial aid during that time. The table below provides state-based aid figures for Alabama and surrounding states in 2013-2014.[32][33]

    Total state-based financial aid, 2013-2014 (in millions)
    State Need-based grant aid Non-need-based grant aid Non-grant aid Total
    Alabama $6.55 $2.99 - $9.54
    Florida $152.3 $313.62 $90.93 $556.85
    Georgia - $569.92 $2.56 $572.49
    Mississippi $8.33 $19.65 $9.24 $37.21
    United States $7,491.27 $2,446.92 $1,756.51 $11,694.70
    Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
    Source: National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, "45th Annual Survey Report on State-Sponsored Student Financial Aid"

    Student debt

    See also: Student debt in higher education in the United States

    Student debt is a major concern for both parents and students. According to the Institute for College Access and Success, in school year 2013-2014, an average of 62 percent of all students nationwide graduated with debt at an average of about $27,779 per borrower. The state with the lowest average debt held by students was Utah, where average student debt was about $18,921. Conversely, students who graduated from colleges and universities in Delaware held an average of about $33,808 in debt, the highest in the country.[34][35]

    During the 2013-2014 school year, about 54 percent of postsecondary students at both public and private schools in Alabama graduated with debt. Average debt held amounted to about $29,425, ranking 10th highest in the country. The table below compares the average student debt, percentage of graduates with debt, and national rankings of Alabama and surrounding states.

    Average student debt and percentage of graduates with debt, 2013-2014
    State Average debt National rank Percentage with debt National rank
    Alabama $29,425 10 54% 41
    Florida $24,947 39 54% 42
    Georgia $26,518 24 62% 23
    Mississippi $26,177 28 60% 29
    United States $27,779 -- 62% --
    Source: CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data"

    While tuition for private schools is typically higher than that of public schools, debt does not always follow this same pattern. The Institute for College Access and Success analyzed data on student debt held by graduates of public and private schools. They found that in the 2013-2014 school year, about 60 percent of students nationwide who graduated from a public institution had debt, which averaged about $25,665 per borrower. For private schools, they found that approximately 65 percent of students graduated with an average of $28,498 in debt. However, in some states, such as New Hampshire, students on average graduated from private schools with less debt than those who graduated from public schools.[34][35]

    During the 2013-2014 school year, about 51 percent of graduates from Alabama's public schools graduated with an average of $29,706 in debt. About 71 percent of private school students graduated with an average of $28,166 in debt. As this data shows, students who graduated from public schools during this year had more debt on average than those who graduated from private schools. The table below compares these statistics for Alabama with those of its surrounding states.

    Average student debt from public and private colleges, 2013-2014
    State Public in-state institution Private institution
    Average debt Percent of graduates with debt Average debt Percent of graduates with debt
    Alabama $29,706 51% $28,166 70%
    Florida $22,947 52% $30,538 61%
    Georgia $25,582 62% $29,917 62%
    Mississippi $25,966 60% $27,887 59%
    United States $25,902 60% $29,657 64%
    Source: CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data"

    Outcomes

    Retention rates

    See also: Higher education retention rates

    Retention rates indicate the percentage of freshman postsecondary students who enroll the following academic year as sophomores. According to the NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis:[36]

    “ Students are more likely to drop out of postsecondary education during the first year than any other time. If a state can implement policies that help to increase retention rates either within institutions or through transfer, the likelihood of students persisting to graduation is far greater.[36][10] ”
    —NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis

    Compared to neighboring states, Alabama had the lowest total retention rate in the 2013-2014 school year at 65 percent. The table below compares retention rates in Alabama and surrounding states.[37]

    Higher education retention rates, 2013-2014
    State Total Public Private nonprofit Private for-profit
    2-year 4-year 2-year 4-year 2-year 4-year
    Alabama 65% 55% 78% 64% 68% 66% 36%
    Florida 75% 65% 86% 80% 73% 67% 65%
    Georgia 68% 53% 78% 52% 77% 59% 41%
    Mississippi 66% 60% 78% N/A 68% 59% 43%
    United States 71% 60% 79% 62% 80% 68% 54%
    Source: CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data"

    Graduation rates

    See also: Higher education graduation rates

    The table below, built from data compiled by The Chronicle of Higher Education, details graduation rates for Alabama and surrounding states. Although postsecondary schools are classified as four-year and two-year institutions, relatively few students actually complete degrees within these time frames. At four-year schools, students commonly take between four and six years to complete their degrees. Likewise, students at two-year institutions commonly take three years to complete their degrees. To illustrate this point, both four-year and six-year graduation rates are provided in the table below (only three-year rates are provided for two-year institutions, owing to a lack of information regarding two-year completion rates).[38]

    At public four-year colleges in Alabama, 25.9 percent graduated within four years, while 49.5 percent graduated within six years. These figures were lower than in neighboring states. About 15.6 percent of Alabama students at public two-year colleges graduated within three years; this figure was also lower than in neighboring states.[39]

    Alabama four year college completion.png
    Alabama six year college completion.png
    Graduation rates by state, 2013
    State Four-year institutions Two-year institutions
    Completion within four years Completion within six years Completion within three years
    Public Private nonprofit Private for-profit Public Private nonprofit Private for-profit Public Private for-profit
    Alabama 25.9% 28.6% 18.7% 49.5% 44.0% 22.7% 15.6% 38.8%
    Florida 38.7% 41.5% 54.5% 64.4% 54.5% 58.6% 30.4% 65.1%
    Georgia 27.6% 44.0% 9.8% 54.5% 57.0% 19.8% 19.0% 52.4%
    Mississippi 26.4% 33.6% N/A 49.8% 47.1% N/A 24.2% 34.0%
    United States 33.3% 52.8% 23.3% 57.6% 65.4% 33.2% 19.4% 63.1%
    Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education, "Graduation rates by state"

    Study on college affordability and outcomes

    College affordability and student debt have become major issues in higher education policy, particularly since the 2008 recession. The College Affordability Guide is an organization that evaluates colleges for their value, which is defined as providing a high-quality education that is affordable "not only for the average student, but for lower-income students as well." According to the College Affordability Guide, there are eight colleges in Alabama that provide high-quality education at an affordable price. The College Affordability Guide's rankings consider a number of factors and are based on the idea that income-appropriate tuition, completing one's studies, and being able to pay back one's loans are the key elements of a worthwhile college experience. Colleges considered the best value by the guide meet the following criteria:[40]

    • Tuition at an average net price of $15,000 per year or less after financial aid for families making $48,000 per year or less
    • At least 50 percent of students graduate or transfer
    • At least 50 percent of students are actively paying down student loan debt three years after graduation

    Additionally, all colleges considered are not-for-profit, offer associate or higher degrees, and have at least one non-standard way for students to earn college credits, such as AP or CLEP credit. The table below lists the colleges in Alabama that the College Affordability Guide considers to be the best value. The colleges are in no particular order. Full rankings and descriptions of the colleges can be found here.

    Most affordable colleges in Alabama, 2016
    College Average net price Percent of students graduating or transferring Percent of students repaying loans
    University of Alabama at Birmingham $13,000 80.0% 75.6%
    Auburn University at Montgomery $12,000 73.0% 62.9%
    Birmingham Southern College $14,000 64.0% 85.0%
    University of West Alabama $12,000 58.0% 54.3%
    University of Montevallo $14,000 75.0% 77.1%
    University of North Alabama $9,000 74.0% 68.8%
    University of South Alabama $11,000 70.0% 70.1%
    Troy University $12,000 69.0% 54.4%
    Source: College Affordability Guide, "2016 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama"

    Funding

    Total state funding

    See also: Higher education funding and Alabama state budget and finances

    Higher education funding mechanisms differ depending on the type of institution. Public colleges receive the lion's share of their funding from state and local governments. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, state and local appropriations accounted for 53 percent of higher education revenues nationwide in 2013. By contrast, private institutions do not receive direct government funding. Instead, these institutions rely primarily on tuition, gifts, and endowments.[41][42]

    The 2008 recession led to decreased public higher education funding as college enrollment increased:

    “ By 2012, the tuition revenues collected by public universities in 20 states covered more educational costs than did state-provided dollars.[10] ”
    —Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education[43]

    While there have been moderate increases in state allocations between 2012 and 2015, the average amount of spending "is still 15 percent less, per student, than before the economic downturn," according to a study by the State Higher Education Executive Offices (SHEEO).[44]

    According to Grapevine, which is published by Illinois State University's Center for the Study of Education Policy and SHEEO, financial support for public higher education in Alabama totaled $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2015, a 4.2 percent increase over fiscal year 2013. The table below lists higher education fiscal support figures for Alabama and surrounding states.[45]

    State funding for higher education
    State Fiscal year 2013 Fiscal year 2014 Fiscal year 2015 Percent change
    Alabama $1,406,898,493 $1,441,862,304 $1,465,539,719 4.2%
    Florida $3,338,709,070 $3,925,291,451 $4,226,714,318 26.6%
    Georgia $2,624,294,318 $2,790,040,144 $2,897,661,906 10.4%
    Mississippi $924,952,654 $973,846,876 $1,009,235,634 9.1%
    United States $72,493,483,464 $76,950,508,609 $80,973,621,292 11.7%
    Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
    Source: Grapevine, "Table 1: State Fiscal Support for Higher Education, by State, Fiscal Years 2009-10, 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15"

    Funding per student

    According to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, average adjusted public postsecondary appropriations per full-time student declined 13.3 percent from fiscal year 2009 to 2013 on average in the United States. In Alabama, appropriations per full-time student declined 17.6 percent during that same period. The table below lists adjusted public higher education appropriations per full-time student for Alabama and surrounding states in fiscal years 2009, 2013, and 2014.[12]

    Public higher education appropriations per full-time student (in constant 2014 dollars)
    State Fiscal year 2009 Fiscal year 2013 Fiscal year 2014 1 year change 5 year change Change since recession
    Alabama $6,888 $5,694 $5,673 -0.4% -17.6% -38.9%
    Florida $7,320 $4,879 $5,798 18.9% -20.8% -31.7%
    Georgia $8,497 $6,836 $7,297 6.7% -14.1% -23.2%
    Mississippi $7,775 $6,274 $6,514 3.8% -16.2% -23.7%
    United States $7,553 $6,215 $6,552 5.4% -13.3% -18.9%
    Notes: "Educational appropriations are a measure of state and local support available for public higher education operating expenses including ARRA funds, and exclude appropriations for independent institutions, financial aid for students attending independent institutions, research, hospitals, and medical education."
    "Adjustment factors, to arrive at constant dollar figures, include Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), Enrollment Mix Index (EMI), and Higher Education Cost Adjustment (HECA). The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is not a measure of inflation over time."
    Source: State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, "State Higher Education Finance: FY 2014"

    Faculty

    Faculty

    See also: Higher education faculty statistics

    Across the country, as student enrollment at postsecondary institutions has changed, so has the faculty. To meet rising demand, the number of faculty increased nationwide by just over 55 percent, from 515,684 to 800,611, between the 1993-1994 and 2013-2014 school years. In Alabama, the total number of faculty rose from 11,893 to 16,526. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the college faculty profession has one of the fastest growth rates in the nation and will see a 19 percent increase in jobs between 2012 and 2022.[46][47][48]

    Employment status

    Employment of faculty at four-year public institutions in Alabama

    While the total number of faculty at public colleges and universities continued to rise over the previous two decades, the portion of faculty who work part-time rose more quickly. By the mid-1990s, part-time faculty comprised over half of total instructional faculty, a figure which continued to increase before leveling off in 2013. In the 2013-2014 school year, just over 55 percent of instructional faculty nationwide worked part time. The number of part-time faculty, including teaching and research assistants, outnumbered full-time faculty in all but 11 states. The number of teaching and research assistants alone outnumbered full-time faculty in five states. Alabama was not one of these states. According to the Southern Regional Education Board,[46][47]

    “ The fact that part-time faculty and teaching/research assistants are a majority of the instructional staff does not mean they do a majority of the instruction, because part-time faculty members and teaching/research assistants typically do not teach as many classes as full-time faculty members. Part-time faculty members generally do not have campus committee assignments or participate in student activities.[10] ”
    —Southern Regional Education Board[46]

    In Alabama, the percentage of all part-time faculty, including graduate assistants, increased from 45.8 percent to 50.3 percent between the 1993-1994 and 2013-2014 school years. Below is a table that provides figures on full-time and part-time faculty employment in Alabama as compared to surrounding states.[47]

    Employment status of instructional faculty at public four-year institutions
    State 1993-1994 2013-2014
    Full time faculty Part time faculty Graduate assistants Part-time total as a percent of all faculty* Full time faculty Part time faculty Graduate assistants Part-time total as a percent of all faculty*
    Alabama 6,446 1,318 4,129 45.8% 8,217 3,198 5,111 50.3%
    Florida 8,541 1,604 6,718 49.4% 13,585 5,345 13,418 58.0%
    Georgia 6,458 1,552 2,241 37.0% 11,095 3,590 10,583 56.1%
    Mississippi 2,780 364 1,595 41.3% 3,662 989 3,278 53.8%
    United States 265,469 83,579 166,636 48.5% 359,586 163,962 277,063 55.1%
    *"Part-time total" includes teaching and research assistants, who also work part-time.
    Source: Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book Tables"

    Salaries

    According to the Southern Regional Education Board, although the salaries of full-time faculty at public four-year institutions are higher than the those of the average American worker, their growth has not kept pace with the average rate of salary increases across all professions. However, salary growth at private institutions has outpaced the national average rate. From the 2008-2009 to the 2013-2014 school years, the average salary for full-time instructional faculty at public four-year institutions nationwide rose from $76,009 to $79,293. In Alabama, the average salary increased from $71,511 to $81,264. The table below provides faculty salary information for the school years 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 for Alabama and surrounding states. Dollar figures have not been adjusted for inflation.[47]

    Average salaries of full-time instructional faculty at public four-year institutions, 2013-2014
    State Average salary 2008-2009 Average salary 2013-2014 Percent change Inflation-adjusted percent change
    Alabama $71,511 $81,264 13.6% -0.7%
    Florida $74,943 $81,169 8.3% 0.2%
    Georgia $73,603 $73,968 0.5% -7.2%
    Mississippi $62,771 $66,023 5.2% -3.0%
    United States $76,009 $79,293 4.3% -1.5%
    Note: Dollar figures do not account for differences in the cost of living between states. Learn more here.
    Source: Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book Tables"

    Demographics

    Over the previous two decades, the proportions of female, black, and Hispanic faculty members at public colleges and universities nationwide increased to reach their highest levels ever in the 2013-2014 school year. In Alabama, 42.9 percent of full-time college faculty were female, 11.7 percent were black, and 2.2 percent were Hispanic. Female, black, and Hispanic representation in college faculty at that time was higher than in the 1993-1994 school year. However, it still fell below the proportions of both the general and college student populations who were female, black, and Hispanic. Click [show] on the green bar below the pie charts to view demographic information for full-time faculty at public four-year colleges and universities in Alabama from the 1993-1994 to the 2013-2014 school years. For this reason, the pie chart displays a different figure for 'Other' than the table.

    Alabama college faculty demographics.png
    Alabama college student demographics.png

    Recent news

    The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Alabama higher education. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

    Higher education in Alabama, 1993-2016 - Google News

    See also

    Higher education in the 50 states

    Click on a state below to read more about higher education in that state.

    http://ballotpedia.org/Higher_education_in_STATE

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Center for Education Statistics, "College Navigator - Alabama," accessed July 12, 2016
    2. ↑ Note: This indicates the retention rate for all postsecondary students, both full-time and part-time.
    3. ↑ Note: This indicates the percentage of students who graduated from a public four-year institution within six years.
    4. ↑ American Association of State Colleges and Universities, "Top 10 Higher Education State Policy Issues for 2013," January 2013
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 American Council on Education, "An Overview of Higher Education in the United States: Diversity, Access, and the Role of the Marketplace," accessed December 16, 2014
    6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 U.S. News and World Report, "U.S. Higher Education Glossary," August 15, 2011 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "USnews" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "USnews" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "USnews" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "USnews" defined multiple times with different content
    7. ↑ The University of Alabama, "History of UA," accessed December 29, 2014
    8. ↑ Athens State University, "History of Athens State," accessed December 29, 2014
    9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Alabama Commission on Higher Education, "Agency Brochure," October 2014
    10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    11. ↑ Alabama Commission on Higher Education, "Additional Information About ACHE," accessed December 29, 2014
    12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, "State Higher Education Finance: FY 2014," accessed July 11, 2016
    13. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 306.60. Fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by race/ethnicity of student and state or jurisdiction: 2013," accessed July 11, 2016
    14. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 304.30. Total fall enrollment in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by attendance status, sex, and state or jurisdiction: 2012 and 2013," accessed July 11, 2016
    15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Miller Center of Public Affairs, "Affirmative Action: Race or Class?" accessed February 10, 2015
    16. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Affirmative Action | Overview," February 7, 2015
    17. ↑ Higher Ed Jobs, "Facts and Myths of Affirmative Action," accessed March 25, 2015
    18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 PBS, "Challenging Race Sensitive Admissions Policies," May 19, 2015
    19. ↑ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, "Affirmative Action," September 17, 2013
    20. ↑ Sander, R. & Taylor S. (2012). Mismatch: How Affirmative Action Hurts Students It's Intended to Help, and Why Universities Won't Admit It. Basic Books.
    21. ↑ The University of Alabama, "Strategic Diversity Plan 2008," accessed March 30, 2015
    22. ↑ The Huffington Post, "Obama Wants To Permanently Link Pell Grants To Inflation," February 11, 2016
    23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 330.20. Average undergraduate tuition and fees and room and board rates charged for full-time students in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by control and level of institution and state or jurisdiction: 2012-13 and 2013-14," accessed July 12, 2016
    24. ↑ The College Board, "Tuition and Fees and Room and Board over Time, 2005-06 to 2015-16," accessed July 12, 2016
    25. ↑ The College Board, "Tuition and Fees by Sector and State over Time," accessed July 12, 2016
    26. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Fast Facts - Financial aid," accessed December 18, 2014
    27. ↑ Federal Student Aid: An Office of the U.S. Department of Education, "Grants and Scholarships," accessed December 18, 2014
    28. ↑ Federal Student Aid: An Office of the U.S. Department of Education, "Loans," accessed December 18, 2014
    29. ↑ Credible, "What are average student loan interest rates?" June 29, 2016
    30. ↑ Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, "Charge-Off and Delinquency Rates on Loans and Leases at Commercial Banks," May 18, 2016
    31. ↑ Federal Student Aid, "Three-year Official Cohort Default Rates for Schools," September 30, 2015
    32. ↑ National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, "45th Annual Survey Report on State-Sponsored Student Financial Aid," accessed July 12, 2016 (Click on "45th Annual Survey" and "NASSGAP Survey Report 13-14" to access this report.)
    33. ↑ The College Board, "Trends in Student Aid," accessed June 30, 2016 (Click on the dropdown menu under "Trends in Student Aid Report Archive" and select 2014 to access this report)
    34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data," accessed July 12, 2016
    35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 CollegeInSight, "Student Debt of Graduating Seniors," accessed July 12, 2016
    36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis, "Retention Rates - First-Time College Freshmen Returning Their Second Year," accessed December 15, 2014
    37. ↑ CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data," accessed July 12, 2016
    38. ↑ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "College Completion: Who graduates from college, who doesn't, and why it matters," accessed December 15, 2014
    39. ↑ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "Graduation rates by state," accessed July 12, 2016
    40. ↑ College Affordability Guide, "2016 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama," accessed August 17, 2016
    41. ↑ Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, "States Are Still Funding Higher Education Below Pre-Recession Levels," May 1, 2014
    42. ↑ Business Insider, "Public Vs. Private College: Which Is Better For Your Wallet?" May 22, 2013
    43. ↑ Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education, "Top 10 Higher Education State Policy Issues for 2013," January 9, 2013
    44. ↑ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "State Higher-Education Spending Is Up, but Not Above Pre-Recession Level," April 27, 2016
    45. ↑ Grapevine, "Table 1: State Fiscal Support for Higher Education, by State, Fiscal Years 2009-10, 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15," accessed July 12, 2016
    46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book on Higher Education, 2013," accessed January 14, 2015
    47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 47.3 Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book Tables," accessed July 12, 2016
    48. ↑ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, "Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Teachers," accessed January 15, 2015
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