After striving to attain this goal over the past 10 years, the state of Missouri has now succeeded in becoming the state that is at the very bottom in funding for higher education. No, it is not Mississippi, Arkansas or Alabama – it is Missouri!

Over the last 10 years, state funding for higher education has increased nationwide at an average of 12.4%, with some states increasing funding by over 40%.

In Missouri, however, funding has decreased during that same period by 13.7% – the only state that had reduced funding!

When adjusted for inflation, the decrease is actually over 26%. The national average for funding is $304 per student, with some states providing over $700 per student. In Missouri, the funding is less than $200 per student. Several studies have shown that for every $1 Missouri provides to higher education, the state’s gross domestic production increases by over $10.

Thus, funding higher education is one of the best investments that state can make. If our state’s elected officials really want to make Missouri a great state, increasing funding for higher education would be a fantastic start.

W. Dudley McCarter, St. Louis County

EDITOR’S NOTE: Adjusted for inflation, Missouri is last among states in the rate of change in total education revenue per full-time employee. In addition to that “milestone,” Missouri is one of only two states with a negative rate of change in the net tuition revenue per FTE, based on information from the “Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development Overview: 101st General Assembly,” January 2020.