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Group Gives Florida, 48 Other States An F For Cost Of College

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 3, 2008

TAMPA - A national education policy group gave Florida an F for college affordability, even though the state's public universities are among the least expensive in the nation.

Florida is in good company. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education gave the lowest affordability grade to every state but one.

Why? The group's report, Measuring Up, shows that college tuition nationwide continues to outpace family income and the price of other necessities, including medical care, food and housing.

In Florida, poor and working-class families must devote 24 percent of their income, after financial aid, to cover the costs at public four-year colleges, the report states.

Tuition and fees, though, typically remain more affordable at Florida's schools than in any other state. The annual average at a Florida public university is about $3,800. The national average is $6,600.

California, which received a C-minus in affordability, was the only state to get a grade higher than F.

The Measuring Up report also rated schools in other categories. Florida's scores, with an explanation from the report:

•Preparation, C: "Florida's fairly low performance in educating its young population could limit the state's access to a competitive workforce and weaken its economy."

•Participation, D: "College opportunities for young and working-age adults are poor."

•Completion, B-plus: "Florida performs well – and has improved – in awarding certificates and degrees relative to the number of students enrolled."

•Benefits, C: "Only a fair proportion of residents have a bachelor's degree, and this weakens the state economy."

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285 or aemerson@tampatrib.com.

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