As a ultimate result, per capita income in Ohio lags the nation. Ohio suffers from an educational deficit. We are poorer as a state because we have failed to establish and maintain an adequate level of investment in higher education. One of the key goals of the recommendations of the Higher Education Funding Commission is to start Ohio on a course that will correct this deficit through increased investments in public higher education that are integrated, targeted, and sensitive and supportive of the different and complex missions of our colleges and universities. New Conceptual Funding Approach A Comprehensive Plan.
Emphasis is given to affordability and quality for the student.
An Integrated Approach. While the new funding system is composed of several parts, or programs, it should be treated as a whole that balances the priorities established by the Master Plan. The Commission believes that the new funding programs should remain in effect in both good times and bad, and that funding should increase or decrease proportionately for each program. An important goal of this proposal is to achieve greater college affordability through a more balanced approach in terms of the state share and student share of costs. Due to low state support, Ohio's tuition is well above national averages with Ohio ranking in the top ten states with the highest tuition for both the two and four year sectors.