Higher-education funds wrong spot to cut budget | Home News Tribune Online

Higher-education funds wrong spot to cut budget | Home News Tribune Online: "Per capita spending on higher education is illustrative of New Jersey's weak position and indicates how much more the state needs to invest instead of chop. In 2003, New Jersey ranked 41st in state tax funds devoted to operating expenses of higher education per $1,000 of personal income, with a rate of only $5.52. The U.S. median was $7.50. California — the bellwether for excellence — spent $8.23. Specific to Rutgers, the state's share of educational costs at its flagship school fell from 64 percent in fiscal year 1992 to 54 percent in fiscal year 2002, as student share increased from 36 percent to 46 percent. The situation is about to grow worse."