Poster Number
010
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Mass Communication
Abstract
Winthrop University students often ask why the institution’s tuition rates are so high. This is an important question for students, who wonder why they pay higher tuition and fees to Winthrop compared to other universities with similar services. This investigative journalism project informs people, especially curious Winthrop students, about the complex reasons for Winthrop’s tuition rates. Open records, government documents, primary and secondary sources, public sources, news articles, in-depth interviews, and statistical research were utilized and analyzed for the research. Following the 2007 recession, which changed the financial landscape for colleges and universities, postsecondary and higher education faced funding issues. State governments attempted to address these issues with legislation and funding initiatives. South Carolina, in response to the recession, slashed education funding across the board and established the South Carolina Education Lottery to fund education. However, the Palmetto State has the second highest average tuition rates in the Southeast at $12,615 as of 2018. Virginia was first with an average tuition of $12,820 – a difference of $205. Some politicians, including South Carolina Governor Henry McMasters, blame South Carolina colleges and universities for high tuition prices, despite state funding for postsecondary education institutions decreasing steadily since 2008. Colleges and universities also have to keep up with building maintenance and update services and equipment to stay competitive and continue to attract students. This project also addresses the efforts Winthrop is taking to adjust to new funding needs.
Honors Thesis Committee
William Schulte, Ph.D.; Aimee Meader, Ph.D.; and Guy Reel, Ph.D.
Start Date
12-4-2019 12:00 PM
End Date
21-4-2019 12:00 AM
Included in
The Political Intervention and Public Policy Influencing High Tuition Rates at South Carolina Colleges and Universities
Rutledge Building
Winthrop University students often ask why the institution’s tuition rates are so high. This is an important question for students, who wonder why they pay higher tuition and fees to Winthrop compared to other universities with similar services. This investigative journalism project informs people, especially curious Winthrop students, about the complex reasons for Winthrop’s tuition rates. Open records, government documents, primary and secondary sources, public sources, news articles, in-depth interviews, and statistical research were utilized and analyzed for the research. Following the 2007 recession, which changed the financial landscape for colleges and universities, postsecondary and higher education faced funding issues. State governments attempted to address these issues with legislation and funding initiatives. South Carolina, in response to the recession, slashed education funding across the board and established the South Carolina Education Lottery to fund education. However, the Palmetto State has the second highest average tuition rates in the Southeast at $12,615 as of 2018. Virginia was first with an average tuition of $12,820 – a difference of $205. Some politicians, including South Carolina Governor Henry McMasters, blame South Carolina colleges and universities for high tuition prices, despite state funding for postsecondary education institutions decreasing steadily since 2008. Colleges and universities also have to keep up with building maintenance and update services and equipment to stay competitive and continue to attract students. This project also addresses the efforts Winthrop is taking to adjust to new funding needs.
