Iowa’s community colleges train a skilled workforce at a time when nearly 34 percent of job openings in Iowa require an education level equal to an associate’s degree or higher. Despite the growing importance of community colleges to both Iowa students and the Iowa economy, state funding has not kept up. Even when accounting for inflation, tuition has increased dramatically in recent years.
According to the Iowa Department of Education’s annual report on our community colleges, over the past decade, average tuition rose from $97 per credit to more than $145 per credit. That’s an increase of about 4.6 percent per year. Add in fees, and the total cost is even higher. A full-time student enrolled at one of Iowa’s 15 community colleges could expect to pay between $4,110 and $5,370 in an academic year.
Tuition and fees currently account for 56 percent of total community college revenues, compared to 46 percent in 2004. State support for community colleges hit a low in 2010 during the recession, but with the state budget in good condition today, a strong investment in education and job training will keep our economy growing and expand Iowa’s middle class.
SF 493, the Education Budget, will help. It includes an $8 million increase in general aid to our community colleges. We’re also providing more than $40 million in on-going worker training funding. These dollars will help keep tuition rates down and provide financial aid so that all Iowans are able to learn, train and grow at our community colleges.
To learn more about Iowa’s community colleges, including tuition and financial aid, students and what they’re studying, and graduate success, see the annual Condition of Iowa’s Community Colleges report at www.educateiowa.gov/documents/condition-community-colleges/2015/01/annual-condition-iowas-community-colleges-2014.