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RESEARCH BRIEFS
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The Research Foundation keeps a close watch on studies and surveys on higher education issues. Here is a sampling of findings from recent studies:
- Gaps in Educational Attainment Costing the State
The 2004 Measuring Up report on higher education performance in Minnesota estimates that if all minority groups had the same educational attainment as whites, their higher earnings would raise total personal income by about $1.4 billion and the state would realize an estimated $507 million in additional tax revenues. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education issues annual report cards that measure performance by each state. The Minnesota report card suggests that the state should focus on closing the achievement and attainment gaps between whites and minorities and making college more affordable for low- and middle-income families. | See the state presentations and report cards
- Private Scholarships Make a Difference
The Institute for Higher Education Policy, the National Scholarship Providers Association, and Scholarship America published results of the first national study of private scholarship aid in May 2005. Approximately 7 percent of all undergraduates received private scholarships, with an average award of $1,982. According to the study, private scholarships: (1) help students who slip through the cracks of other aid programs, (2) facilitate choice and affordability for students of varying income levels, and (3) provide a testing ground for new approaches to student financing. | Read the private scholarship study report (PDF)
- College Degree Nearly Doubles Annual Earnings, Census Bureau Reports
New information from the U.S. Census Bureau reinforces the value of a four-year college education. In 2004, U.S. workers age 18 and over with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $51,206 a year, while those with only a high school diploma earned $27,915. Workers with an advanced degree made an average of $74,602, and those without a high school diploma averaged $18,734. | Read more census results
- Cost is Greatest Barrier to College
In the study, “Life After High School: Young People Talk about Their Hopes and Prospects,” more than half of young adults who either don’t go on to college or don’t continue after their first year of college say that the reason has to do with finances. Even among those who did continue, most students said they would have gone to a different school if financial concerns were not an issue. This was especially true among students of color, 59% of whom said so, compared to 40% of whites. Large numbers of students also reported that there were too few counselors in their school to provide individualized guidance. | Read the life after high school report
- Education Level Drives City Growth
Possessing or attracting a large population of skilled, educated workers appears to be the key factor in determining whether declining urban areas—such as the “Rustbelt” manufacturing centers of the 1980s—chart a path back to prosperity or remain relatively stagnant. Harvard economists Edward Glaeser and Albert Saiz report in The Rise of the Skilled City that the percentage of workers with college degrees is a "powerful predictor of urban growth." | Read the press release
LAIRD LEADS DELEGATION TO CHINA
The Council’s president, David Laird, is leading a group of higher education and business leaders on a trip to China, Nov. 4-18. The purpose of the trip is to expand the groups’ collective understanding of Chinese culture, education and economics. Minnesota has well developed connections with Chinese educational institutions and has made large investments in Chinese markets. “This is an opportunity for our member colleges to solidify and expand a long-term relationship,” Laird says. The group will visit Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, and join a contingent led by Governor Pawlenty on Nov. 14 in Beijing to celebrate Higher Education Day.
HELP AVERT FEDERAL STUDENT AID CUTS
Over the next ten years in Minnesota, more college students will come from low-income and minority backgrounds than ever before. Federal student aid programs are one of the primary sources of funding for students of underserved communities who wish to attain a college education.
These federal student loans are in danger of losing $14 billion through this year’s budget reconciliation and the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA). Congress is considering cutting federal student aid as part of its efforts to establish a balanced budget and to provide hurricane relief to the gulf coast. Since the creation of HEA, federal and state governments, colleges and universities—including Minnesota’s Private Colleges, families, and philanthropic organizations have worked as effective partners to ensure that financial resources would be available to students from all economic and social backgrounds. Without the federal loans and grants, many students would be unable to afford the college of their choice.
There is still hope—and you can help. Contact your member of Congress through the “Stop the Raid on Student Aid” phone bank at 1-800-574-4AID or visit www.studentaidalliance.org. Your support now may help ensure that students can afford the college of their choice.
MPC INSTITUTIONS RANK HIGHLY ACCORDING TO U.S. NEWS
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| Laird (second from right) with Chinese visitors in March 2005 |
The U.S. News and World Report annual college rankings are among the most recognized and popular system of college rankings in the country. For 2006, many member institutions from Minnesota's Private Colleges performed well in several categories.
Best National Liberal Arts Colleges
5. Carleton College (same as 2005)
25. Macalester College (up from #26 in 2005)
55. St. Olaf College (up from #62 in 2005)
69. St. John’s University (up from #77 in 2005)
73. Gustavus Adolphus College (up from #77 in 2005)
88. College of St. Benedict (up from #101 in 2005)
Tier 3 – Concordia College, same as 2005 (Tier 3 colleges are ranked between 111 and 161 and are listed alphabetically.)
Best National Universities
Tier 3 – St. Thomas, same as 2005 (see Tier 3 explanation above)
Best Values
7. Macalester College (up from #11 in 2005)
10. Carleton College (up from #14 in 2005)
Best Universities, M.A. (Midwest)
9. Hamline University (down from #8 in 2005)
13. Bethel College (up from #19 in 2005)
17. College of St. Catherine (same as 2005)
22. College of St. Scholastica (down from #20 in 2005)
26. Augsburg College (down from #20 in 2005)
37. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (down from 31 in 2005)
In addition, several MPC institutions ranked highly in First Year Experience, Senior Capstone, Study Abroad Programs, Service Learning, Writing in the Disciplines and Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects.
The Minnesota Private College Council, Fund and Research Foundation represent 17 of the state’s most respected four-year, liberal arts colleges and universities as well as more than 54,000 students. We are: Augsburg College, Bethany Lutheran College, Bethel University, Carleton College, Concordia College (Moorhead), Concordia University (St. Paul), College of Saint Benedict, College of St. Catherine, College of St. Scholastica, Gustavus Adolphus College, Hamline University, Macalester College, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Saint John’s University, St. Olaf College, and the University of St. Thomas.
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