By Alma Lopez, CSG West Policy Analyst

During the recession many states had to make hard decisions regarding higher education funding and tuition at public universities. According to the 2013-2014 Tuition and Fees in Public Higher Education in the West report by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, the enrollment-weighted average tuition and fees for residents and non-residents was higher for four-year institutions over previous years; while lower at two-year institutions.

As tuition and fees have increased over the past decade, it has become more difficult for American families to afford post-secondary education. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released the "Education at a Glance 2013" report last year ranking the U.S. as number 12th in the world in college degree attainment among 25-34 year olds. Yet our growing competitive economy is in need of skilled workers and more businesses require post-secondary education and professional certifications.

According to a recent Pew Research Center Report, lacking a college degree puts young adults at higher risks of being unemployed, or of earning much less than those with a college degree.  The Pew Research analysis also found that the value of a high school diploma is declining; the earnings of a typical high school graduate fell by more than $3,000, from $31,384 in 1965 to $28,000 in 2013. Young adults with just high-school diplomas are also much more likely to live in poverty, at 22 percent in 2013 compared to 7 percent in 1979.

In an effort to meet President's Obama goal for America to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020, this year's federal budget increased the maximum Pell Grant to $5,785 and would fund Pell Grants for more than 9 million.  Federal work-study also increased by $150 million and the interest rate calculation was reformed in order to provide a long-term fix for student loan interest rates. The President's budget also encourages institutional reforms via the $260 million "First in the World" fund or campus-based aid programs as well as state reforms. The Race to the Top: College Affordability and Completion proposed by President Obama last year provides competitive grants to states that demonstrate a strong commitment to increasing college affordability.

The table below shows the FY 2013-2014 western states fiscal support for higher education, by source of state support.

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