Breaking Down the Numbers

As state funding for higher education decreases, the cost to students and their families increases.

Emporia State continues to be a lower cost option for students.

Data reflects cost of in-state tuition at public universities 1970-2021

Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor includes full and part-time students reflects degree-granting four-year and two-year public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit institutions Source: U.S. Department of Education

Due to shifts in generation size, a currently strong labor market and concerns about costs, undergraduate enrollment is in decline nationwide.

Emporia State undergraduate enrollment* has mirrored the national trend.

In spite of the eroding attitudes toward higher education, the numbers show earning a degree delivers value — both in earnings potential and employment security.

Data are for persons age 25 and over. Earnings are for full-time wage and salary workers Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey