Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.

Higher education in Arkansas, 1993-2016

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Public Policy Logo-one line.pngin Arkansas

BP-Initials-UPDATED.png This article does not contain the most recently published data on this subject. If you would like to help our coverage grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia.

Higher education
Education Policy Logo on Ballotpedia.png
Enrollment statistics
Tuition statistics
Financial aid statistics
Retention rates
Graduation rates
Higher education funding
Public Policy Logo-one line.png

Arkansas' higher education system is composed of 51 colleges and universities. Of these, 33 are public institutions, 14 are nonprofit private schools, and four are for-profit private institutions.[1]

HIGHLIGHTS
  • In Arkansas, students who graduated from public schools during the 2013-2014 had more debt on average than those who graduated from private schools.
  • At public four-year colleges in Arkansas, 39.7 percent of students graduated within six years, the lowest rate among its neighboring states.
  • Between the 1993-1994 and 2013-2014 school years, the total number of public college faculty in Arkansas more than doubled, from 3,674 to 8,036.

    • 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 Arkansas.

    Overview

    Education Policy Logo on Ballotpedia.png
    Overview
    Total number of schools:
    51
    Public schools:
    33
    State agency:
    Arkansas Department of Higher Education
    Retention rate:
    64%[2]
    Graduation rate:
    39.7%[3]
    Average public in-state tuition:
    $6,894
    Total funding for public higher education:
    $991,527,821
    Funding per full-time student:
    $7,653
    Public Policy Logo-one line.png
    Higher education in the United States • Education policy • Education policy in the United States • Public education in Arkansas

    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. East Arkansas Community College is an example of a public two-year institution in Arkansas.[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. Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas are examples of public four-year institutions in Arkansas.[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. Arkansas Baptist College and John Brown University are examples of private nonprofit institutions in Arkansas.[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 Arkansas include Bryan University and ITT Technical Institute (Little Rock campus).[5][6]

    The state's first postsecondary institution, Cane Hill College, was founded in 1834. It ultimately closed in 1886. The University of Arkansas, founded in 1871 as the Arkansas Industrial College, was the state's first public postsecondary institution. It was established as a land-grant university under the federal Morrill Land Grant Act.[7][8]

    As of July 2016, there were 33 public colleges and universities in Arkansas, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. These are listed in the table below.[1]

    State agencies

    University of Arkansas

    The mission statement of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) is as follows:[9]

    “ The mission of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education is to advocate for higher education; to promote a coordinated system of higher education in the State; and to assist each of the publicly and locally supported institutions of higher education in the state in improving the delivery of higher education services to the citizens of Arkansas.[9][10] ”
    —Arkansas Department of Higher Education

    The department is responsible for developing and implementing higher education policies and procedures, reviewing academic programs, administering financial aid, recommending budgets for postsecondary institutions, and collecting and reporting data pertaining to postsecondary education in Arkansas.[9]

    The department is overseen by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The board is composed of 12 members. All members are appointed by the governor and serve staggered six-year terms.[9]

    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.[11]

    College enrollment in Arkansas followed this trend; between 2012 and 2014, full-time enrollment decreased from about 126,000 to about 119,600. In 2014, full-time college enrollment in Arkansas was 11.3 percent higher than in 2008. Click [show] on the green bar below the bar chart to view full-time public university enrollment in Arkansas as compared to surrounding states.

    Arkansas higher ed enrollment 2016.png

    Demographics

    Enrollment by race and ethnicity

    In Arkansas, total enrollment—full-time and part-time—in all public and private higher education institutions amounted to 172,224 in fall 2013. About 69.4 percent of these students were white. Black students comprised approximately 17.8 percent of the total postsecondary student population in Arkansas. During that time, 71.5 percent of the state's general population was white and 18.3 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 Arkansas and surrounding states.[12]

    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
    Arkansas Postsecondary students 69.4% 17.8% 4.7% 1.6% 0.1% 0.9% 2.6% 3.0%
    General population 71.5% 18.3% 4.9% 1.6% 0.1% 0.9% 2.7% N/A
    Louisiana Postsecondary students 56.5% 31.4% 4.4% 2.3% 0.1% 0.6% 2.0% 2.8%
    General population 58.1% 32.3% 4.5% 2.4% 0.1% 0.6% 2.0% N/A
    Missouri Postsecondary students 72.2% 14.5% 4.0% 2.7% 0.2% 0.5% 2.2% 3.8%
    General population 75.0% 15.0% 4.2% 2.8% 0.2% 0.6% 2.3% N/A
    Oklahoma Postsecondary students 61.8% 9.7% 6.7% 2.6% 0.2% 8.4% 5.9% 4.7%
    General population 64.9% 10.1% 7.0% 2.7% 0.2% 8.9% 6.2% 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, 58.4 percent of all postsecondary students in Arkansas were female, which was higher than the national rate of 56.5 percent. The table below lists postsecondary student enrollment by sex in Arkansas and surrounding states.[13]

    Higher education enrollment by sex, 2013
    State Total students Male students Percentage Female students Percentage
    Arkansas 172,224 71,683 41.6% 100,541 58.4%
    Louisiana 251,887 102,787 40.8% 149,100 59.2%
    Missouri 438,222 190,737 43.5% 247,485 56.5%
    Oklahoma 220,897 96,831 43.8% 124,066 56.2%
    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 Arkansas

    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.[14][15][16]

    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.[14][17]

    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.[14][17][18][19]

    Eight states have enacted laws banning the consideration of race in university admissions. As of March 2015, Arkansas was not one of these states. However, Arkansas has enacted a law requiring public universities to develop affirmative action programs for the enrollment of minorities as students. It is not clear what affirmative action measures universities in Arkansas have taken to fulfill this requirement. Of 11 public four-year universities in Arkansas, none reported considering race in admissions, as indicated in the chart below.[20]

    Consideration of race at public four-year universities in Arkansas
    School Race/ethnicity is... School selectivity*
    Very important Important Considered Not considered
    Arkansas State University
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    Arkansas Tech University
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Henderson State University
    {{{1}}}
    		 N/A
    Southern Arkansas University
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    University of Arkansas
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    University of Arkansas at Little Rock
    {{{1}}}
    		 Somewhat selective
    University of Arkansas at Fort Smith N/A Open admission
    University of Arkansas at Monticello N/A Open admission
    University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
    {{{1}}}
    		 N/A
    University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences N/A N/A
    University of Central Arkansas
    {{{1}}}
    		 Less selective
    Sources: The College Board, "Big Future," accessed March 30, 2015
    CollegeData, "College 411," accessed March 30, 2015
    *Note: This scale of 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 as a response to state budget cuts, while others correlate rising tuition with the availability of financial aid.[21][22][23]

    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 Arkansas, these figures were lower: $6,894 and $19,104, respectively. Public university tuition in the state increased 29 percent between 2005-2006 and 2015-2016. The graph below displays average tuition prices in Arkansas 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 Arkansas with those in surrounding states.[22][24]

    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
    Arkansas $6,604 $6,894 4.4% $18,004 $19,104 6.1%
    Louisiana $5,817 $6,585 13.2% $28,691 $30,257 5.5%
    Missouri $7,815 $7,998 2.3% $19,020 $19,523 2.6%
    Oklahoma $5,882 $6,043 2.7% $20,572 $21,411 4.1%
    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.[22]

    Students attending public postsecondary institutions in Arkansas from outside of the state were required to pay an average of $6,894, a 236 percent difference over the average in-state tuition of $16,266. The average out-of-state tuition price for Arkansas was lower than the national average by about $6,400. The table below compares in-state and out-of-state tuition figures for Arkansas 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
    Arkansas $6,894 $16,266 236%
    Louisiana $6,585 $19,985 303%
    Missouri $7,998 $19,319 242%
    Oklahoma $6,043 $17,009 281%
    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.[25][26][27][28][29][30]

    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. Arkansas awarded $141.3 million in state-based financial aid during that time. The table below provides state-based aid figures for Arkansas and surrounding states in 2013-2014.[31][32]

    Total state-based financial aid, 2013-2014 (in millions)
    State Need-based grant aid Non-need-based grant aid Non-grant aid Total
    Arkansas $8.28 $130.65 $2.38 $141.31
    Louisiana $26.1 $223.5 - $249.6
    Missouri $60.55 $46.86 - $107.41
    Oklahoma $84.7 $10.8 $187.07 $282.58
    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.[33][34]

    During the 2013-2014 school year, about 55 percent of postsecondary students at both public and private schools in Arkansas graduated with debt. Average debt held amounted to about $25,344, ranking 36 highest in the country. The table below compares the average student debt, percentage of graduates with debt, and national rankings of Arkansas and surrounding states.

    Average student debt and percentage of graduates with debt, 2013-2014
    State Average debt National rank Percentage with debt National rank
    Arkansas $25,344 36 55% 38
    Louisiana $23,025 44 47% 47
    Missouri $25,844 33 59% 33
    Oklahoma $23,430 43 55% 39
    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.[33][34]

    During the 2013-2014 school year, about 54 percent of graduates from Arkansas' public schools graduated with an average of $25,512 in debt. About 60 percent of private school students graduated with an average of $24,845 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 Arkansas 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
    Arkansas $25,512 54% $24,845 60%
    Louisiana $20,844 44% $28,605 54%
    Missouri $26,147 62% $25,338 54%
    Oklahoma $22,329 54% $28,784 62%
    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:[35]

    “ 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.[35][10] ”
    —NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis

    Compared to neighboring states, Arkansas had the lowest total retention rate in the 2013-2014 school year at 64 percent. The table below compares retention rates in Arkansas and surrounding states.[36]

    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
    Arkansas 64% 52% 70% 74% 74% 33% 29%
    Louisiana 66% 52% 72% 60% 79% 69% 46%
    Missouri 68% 58% 76% 57% 76% 69% 40%
    Oklahoma 65% 56% 71% N/A 73% 67% 71%
    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 Arkansas 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).[37]

    At public four-year colleges in Arkansas, 20.6 percent graduated within four years, while 39.7 percent graduated within six years. The percentage of students graduating within six years was lower than in Arkansas' neighboring states. About 21.4 percent of Arkansas students at public two-year colleges graduated within three years; this figure was higher than in neighboring states.[38]

    Arkansas four year college completion.png
    Arkansas 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
    Arkansas 20.6% 39.4% 0.3% 39.7% 53.2% 15.4% 21.4% 46.0%
    Louisiana 20.2% 45.1% 5.4% 44.7% 60.8% 8.1% 18.2% 64.6%
    Missouri 32.3% 46.1% 8.2% 55.2% 59.7% 18.0% 18.7% 64.2%
    Oklahoma 22.8% 38.5% 1.9% 46.2% 52.2% 16.7% 16.5% 61.8%
    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 seven colleges in Arkansas 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:[39]

    • 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas, 2016
    College Average net price Percent of students graduating or transferring Percent of students repaying loans
    University of Arkansas at Little Rock $12,000 66.0% 65.8%
    University of Arkansas $11,000 62.0% 85.2%
    Arkansas State University-Beebe $6,000 54.0% 61.2%
    Arkansas Tech University $9,000 71.0% 65.7%
    University of Central Arkansas $9,000 63.0% 76.2%
    Henderson State University $9,000 71.0% 65.0%
    Southern Arkansas University Main Campus $9,000 57.0% 60.0%
    Source: College Affordability Guide, "2016 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas"

    Funding

    Total state funding

    See also: Higher education funding and Arkansas 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.[40][41]

    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[42]

    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).[43]

    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 Arkansas totaled $991.5 million in fiscal year 2015, a 2.3 percent decrease over fiscal year 2013. The table below lists higher education fiscal support figures for Arkansas and surrounding states.[44]

    State funding for higher education
    State Fiscal year 2013 Fiscal year 2014 Fiscal year 2015 Percent change
    Arkansas $1,015,018,606 $1,001,496,233 $991,527,821 -2.3%
    Louisiana $1,174,061,988 $1,125,250,832 $1,131,183,764 -3.7%
    Missouri $931,239,665 $954,236,519 $1,032,061,214 10.8%
    Oklahoma $1,044,735,666 $1,053,566,920 $1,049,486,716 0.5%
    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 Arkansas, appropriations per full-time student declined 4.2 percent during that same period. The table below lists adjusted public higher education appropriations per full-time student for Arkansas and surrounding states in fiscal years 2009, 2013, and 2014.[11]

    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
    Arkansas $7,987 $7,731 $7,653 -1.0% -4.2% -5.8%
    Louisiana $9,096 $5,625 $5,606 -0.3% -38.4% -40.5%
    Missouri $7,172 $5,311 $5,297 -0.3% -26.1% -27.8%
    Oklahoma $8,951 $7,193 $7,080 -1.6% -20.9% -21.3%
    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 Arkansas, the total number of faculty rose from 3,674 to 8,036. 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.[45][46][47]

    Employment status

    Employment of faculty at four-year public institutions in Arkansas

    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. Arkansas was not one of these states. According to the Southern Regional Education Board,[45][46]

    “ 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[45]

    In Arkansas, the percentage of all part-time faculty, including graduate assistants, increased from 23.2 percent to 51 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 Arkansas as compared to surrounding states.[46]

    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*
    Arkansas 2,823 820 31 23.2% 3,941 1,548 2,547 51.0%
    Louisiana 5,931 867 1,197 25.8% 5,514 1,427 4,499 51.8%
    Missouri 6,302 2,225 2,856 44.6% 6,673 3,051 5,171 55.2%
    Oklahoma 3,476 848 1,820 43.4% 4,847 2,003 3,864 54.8%
    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 Arkansas, the average salary increased from $61,636 to $65,173. The table below provides faculty salary information for the school years 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 for Arkansas and surrounding states. Dollar figures have not been adjusted for inflation.[46]

    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
    Arkansas $61,636 $65,173 5.7% -4.2%
    Louisiana $64,829 $65,404 0.9% -4.7%
    Missouri $66,532 $70,377 5.8% -3.7%
    Oklahoma $66,782 $71,114 6.5% -3.4%
    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 Arkansas, 44.7 percent of full-time college faculty were female, 6.9 percent were black, and 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 Arkansas 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.

    Arkansas college faculty demographics.png
    Arkansas college student demographics.png

    Recent news

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

    Higher education in Arkansas, 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 - Arkansas," 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
    7. ↑ ExploreSouthernHistory.com, "Cane Hill College, Arkansas," accessed July 16, 2016
    8. ↑ University of Arkansas, "History of the University of Arkansas," accessed July 16, 2016
    9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Arkansas Department of Higher Education, "About ADHE," accessed December 30, 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. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 State Higher Education Executive Officers Association, "State Higher Education Finance: FY 2014," accessed July 11, 2016
    12. ↑ 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
    13. ↑ 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
    14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Miller Center of Public Affairs, "Affirmative Action: Race or Class?" accessed February 10, 2015
    15. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Affirmative Action | Overview," February 7, 2015
    16. ↑ Higher Ed Jobs, "Facts and Myths of Affirmative Action," accessed March 25, 2015
    17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 PBS, "Challenging Race Sensitive Admissions Policies," May 19, 2015
    18. ↑ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, "Affirmative Action," September 17, 2013
    19. ↑ 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.
    20. ↑ Justia, "AR Code § 6-63-103 (2012)," accessed April 16, 2015
    21. ↑ The Huffington Post, "Obama Wants To Permanently Link Pell Grants To Inflation," February 11, 2016
    22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 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
    23. ↑ The College Board, "Tuition and Fees and Room and Board over Time, 2005-06 to 2015-16," accessed July 12, 2016
    24. ↑ The College Board, "Tuition and Fees by Sector and State over Time," accessed July 12, 2016
    25. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Fast Facts - Financial aid," accessed December 18, 2014
    26. ↑ Federal Student Aid: An Office of the U.S. Department of Education, "Grants and Scholarships," accessed December 18, 2014
    27. ↑ Federal Student Aid: An Office of the U.S. Department of Education, "Loans," accessed December 18, 2014
    28. ↑ Credible, "What are average student loan interest rates?" June 29, 2016
    29. ↑ Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, "Charge-Off and Delinquency Rates on Loans and Leases at Commercial Banks," May 18, 2016
    30. ↑ Federal Student Aid, "Three-year Official Cohort Default Rates for Schools," September 30, 2015
    31. ↑ 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.)
    32. ↑ 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)
    33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data," accessed July 12, 2016
    34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 CollegeInSight, "Student Debt of Graduating Seniors," accessed July 12, 2016
    35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 NCHEMS Information Center for Higher Education Policymaking and Analysis, "Retention Rates - First-Time College Freshmen Returning Their Second Year," accessed December 15, 2014
    36. ↑ CollegeInSight, "Explore All Data," accessed July 12, 2016
    37. ↑ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "College Completion: Who graduates from college, who doesn't, and why it matters," accessed December 15, 2014
    38. ↑ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "Graduation rates by state," accessed July 12, 2016
    39. ↑ College Affordability Guide, "2016 Most Affordable Colleges in Arkansas," accessed August 17, 2016
    40. ↑ Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, "States Are Still Funding Higher Education Below Pre-Recession Levels," May 1, 2014
    41. ↑ Business Insider, "Public Vs. Private College: Which Is Better For Your Wallet?" May 22, 2013
    42. ↑ Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education, "Top 10 Higher Education State Policy Issues for 2013," January 9, 2013
    43. ↑ The Chronicle of Higher Education, "State Higher-Education Spending Is Up, but Not Above Pre-Recession Level," April 27, 2016
    44. ↑ 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
    45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book on Higher Education, 2013," accessed January 14, 2015
    46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 46.3 Southern Regional Education Board, "Fact Book Tables," accessed July 12, 2016
    47. ↑ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, "Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Teachers," accessed January 15, 2015
    Flag of Arkansas
    v • e
    State of Arkansas
    Little Rock (capital)
    Elections

    What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

    Government

    Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy

    Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Higher_education_in_Arkansas,_1993-2016&oldid=8717880"