Montana Ranked Best in Nation For Keeping Higher Education Affordable

Governor Steve Bullock recently praised a report published by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities that ranked Montana’s percent change in average tuition at public, four-year colleges as the lowest in the nation.

“Thanks to record investments in public education and successful tuition freezes the last two legislative sessions, Montanans continue to have unparalleled access to a quality, affordable education,” said Bullock. “I am committed to making responsible tax and budget decisions to ensure that a college education is within reach for any Montanan who wants it.”

Montana ranked best in the country -- 50th out of the 50 states -- when measuring the percent increase in average tuition since the great recession (2008 – 2015). Many states have been forced to make drastic funding cuts to public education due to diminishing revenues, resulting in major consequences for schools. Governor Bullock’s insistence on responsible fiscal management has helped Montana’s universities avoid charging students tens of thousands of dollars more for education.

Montana rankings from the study include:

·         50th in percent change in average tuition at public, four-year colleges (3.7%) from     2008 – 2015
·         47th in percent change in state spending per student (-2.0%) from 2008 – 2015
·         17th in percent change in state spending per student (5.9%) from 2014 – 2015