Higher Education

We need to ensure that EVERYONE has access to higher education:

Washington students currently on average pay $1,300 less in tuition rates per academic year than students attending peer institutions in other states.  Washington public colleges and universities produce the best graduation rates in the nation, even though per-student funding is the 5th lowest in the country.   On average, individuals with a baccalaureate degree earn 57% more than those with just a high school diploma. 

Creating efficiencies in higher education:
The Student Achievement Initiative is a nationally-recognized performance-based funding program in the state’s community and technical colleges aimed at improving public accountability in higher education and providing financial incentives to colleges for increasing the levels of achievement attained by their students.

Overall student achievement has increased by 30% in the public community and technical college system over the last five years.  

Investments in centrally-funded system-wide eLearning tools for both faculty and students that will reduce cost and improve access have enabled Washington to substantially increase eLearning opportunities for community and technical colleges.  So far nearly half (47%) of all college graduates earning 15 or more credits via online or hybrid coursework. 

Reducing costs to students and parents:
The Open Course Library is a collection of educational materials – including textbooks, syllabi, course activities, readings, and assessments – for 81 high-enrollment college courses in Washington’s community and technical colleges that reduce textbook costs to only $30 per course.

Students will save an estimated $7.2 million per year in textbook costs.

The Running Start program allows 11th and 12th grade students to earn both high school and college credits through courses at Washington's community and technical colleges, and many of its 4-year baccalaureate institutions without paying tuition.
There is an estimated $46 million per year in savings to the state (NGF).  Washington families save nearly $50 million per year.

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