Strengthening Our Public Investment in Higher Education

As centers of education, research, and innovation, public colleges and universities spur economic development throughout the state. They help train and educate our ever-growing workforce, ensuring our state remians competitive in the global economy.

Access to higher education is also a key contributor to family economic security and upward mobility. Since 1980, median family incomes have risen steadily for adults with four-year or graduate degrees, but have stagnated or declined for those with lower levels of education. Children from lower income families who do earn a college degree are particularly likely to make higher incomes as adults.

Yet over the past two decades, Washington state’s financial support for higher education has not kept pace with population growth and rising costs.

To ensure a strong foundation for Washington, we must increase public investment in higher education. Doing so will require identifying new sources of public revenue, but will result in a stronger state economy -- supported by a highly trained and educated workforce.

Choose a policy focus

--- Select a new policy --- Early Learning K-12 & Higher Ed Health Care Minimum Wage Retirement Security State Economy Tax Reform Work & Family

Featured Publication

Losing by Degrees

07.27.2009 | With public funding for state higher education at a 30-year low, Losing by Degrees calls on state leaders to identify new sources of public revenue to increase public investment in higher education in order to build a more competitive economy.

Full Report »