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Accessibility and affordability of higher education remain critical to ensuring residents of Mississippi, and the South, have opportunities for economic advancement. The portion of a median household’s income needed to cover tuition and fees at Mississippi’s universities increased from 8.1% to 12.6% from 2000-01 to 2008-09. Across the South, families and working adults are spending a larger portion of their income to cover the cost of pursuing higher education. Ample state funding of universities ensures that tuitions remain in reach for Mississippi’s families and adults returning to school to gain a degree and economic advancement.

University Tuition Rises as a Portion of Median Household Income 

Increasing educational attainment opens doors for higher incomes, more stable employment and ultimately economic self-sufficiency. As Mississippi moves forward from the current recession, it will remain important that higher education remains within financial reach of the state’s residents. Adequate state support of higher education is important for keeping tuition affordable and providing universities with the resources they need to serve students. In the absence of adequate support, university tuition may continue to rise for Mississippi’s working families.

Author: Sarah Welker, Policy Analyst
Source: Southern Regional Education Board. Tuition and Fee Trends