This funding recognizes that the per student cost of education is higher at a small campus because of several factors inherent to being small. Until this critical mass is achieved, certain costs are inevitably higher. Small university funding provides budgetary support for the difference between a university's enrollment and the number of 7,500. This funding helps create a level playing field for small universities. It helps capitalize vital academic infrastructure and provides universities the opportunity to be competitive.
Several factors contribute to higher per student costs at small universities.
Basic operational requirements. Certain fixed costs are basic requirements. Small universities generally do not use graduate students to teach undergraduates. While we are proud that Ph.D.'s and other terminally degreed faculty do the teaching on our campuses, this format contributes to higher instructional costs. In Fall 2000, for example, the instructional load at WOU was 21.5, compared to an average of 18.9 for the System.