As A More Affordable And Accessible Option
For Philadelphians Seeking A College Education
The current economic environment in Pennsylvania demands well-educated workers with the knowledge, skills and ability necessary for complex and creative problem-solving. This is especially so in the state’s largest city, Philadelphia, which ranks 92nd among the 100 largest cities in the nation in percentage of college-educated residents, at 14 percent of the workforce or one in seven residents. A poorly educated workforce dampens business growth and formation and prevents many Philadelphians from realizing their full potential.
While the city of Philadelphia is home to many of this nation’s top colleges and universities, it is important to realize that these prestigious colleges and universities do not provide educational programs that are available to the average Philadelphian. These schools maintain admissions standards well above those achieved by the average college-bound high school graduate, and maintain tuition rates well out of reach for most Philadelphians. With this combination of high admissions standards and high tuition costs, these nationally prestigious universities are not viable options for most low-to middle-income families.
A private college education in Philadelphia averages around $30,000 a year – just for tuition. Tuition at Temple University, a state-related institution with the lowest-cost baccalaureate education in the city, is nearly $4,000 more than the most expensive state-owned university in the State System of Higher Education (SSHE). Philadelphia needs an affordable university in Philadelphia within easy commuting distance for Philadelphians. The ability to commute to and from school gives more families the option of sending their children to college without the additional burden of room and board fees. A college student in Columbia County can commute to and from Bloomsburg University for $6,623 in tuition and fees a year. Commuting to Temple University, the least expensive university in Philadelphia costs a student $10,802 in tuition and fees a year.
