The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1958-12-19
PRESENT FACILITIES IN
MONTANA

MON ANA
Although higher education in Mon.
tana is not confined to the state uni.
versity system, that system is the
States major concern from the stand
point of public policy and finance.
The state also has the advantage OF
three private four year colleges, two
junior colleges. four nursing schools
and six business colleges. Combined,
these twenty-one institutions enrolled
approximately 11,040 students as of
November, 1857. Some "a per cent
| Tor about 10,354) were enrolled in
degree-credit institutions. Nearly 85
per cent of the degree-credit total
were enrolled in the public or tax
supported institutions.
About Is per cent were enrolled in
privately supported institutions. The
bulk of the higher education load is
carried by publicly supported insti-
tutions. This does not mean that Mon
tana's place in higher education is
determined solely by the six units of
the university system and the other
institutions receiving public support
Dawson and Custer County Junior
Colleges). However. it does signify
the central task of the state govern
ment in maintaining higher educa-
tional facilities in Montana for the
people of the state.
1t is not likely that the balance be-
tween publicly and privately support
ed institutions will change in future
American experience. In two western
states, Wyoming and Nevada, the en-
Of Ii 6
ried in public institutions. New Mex
leo carries about 80 per cent of its
load in publicly supported institu-
tions.
AS of July 1, 1857, the State of
Montana had invested represented
by the inventory $2,016,759 in land
for university campuses and $751;
977,541 in campus buildings. In the
fiscal year 1857. based on an analy-
sis by the Tax Foundation, Montana
expended approximately 1874 per cent
of its total state expenditures for
higher education. In eleven u. S.
states containing 100000 population
or less. Montana ranked third in the
of total state expenditures
spent for higher education in that |
year, approximately $13,510,000. Ac-
cording to figures derived from the |
of State Government
Finances in 1857 by the Tax Founda-
ton of New York, this represented a
per capita expenditure for higher edu-
cation in Montana of $20.69. Only
New Mexico ($23.58) and Utah
($22.92) expended more per capita
for higher education in fiscal 1857
among IL states containing 100000
)r less population. Montana's ex-
# it's per capita personal income.
Utah. New Mexico, South Dakota,
North Dakota and Wyoming spent
arger per cent of personal income
IN higher education that year.
What has been achieved in the
Of the six units of the
system. plus the private
ABILITIES for education beyond high
chool in Montana? There are eleven
tates (not including Alaska) in the
mallest population group (below
100000 population in the 1850 CEN ,
us). In this group Montana ranks
fifth in size. In the number of Bache-
or degrees granted in 1851, Montana s
anked fifth, same place as it's popu- |
alton rank.
In the list of accredited higher in ,
titutions, compiled in 1856 by the
J. S. Office Of Education. Montana !
tate University showed the largest 5
lumber of listed "accreditations" of 7
ny Montana institution. This repre-
ented specialties in the fields Of bust {
ess, chemistry, forestry, journal
I'M. law. music. pharmacy and teach i
r education. Montana State College !
ED accreditations in three signifi- :.
ant categories (eight if each of the