As A More Affordable And Accessible Option
For Philadelphians Seeking A College Education
With almost 80,000 Philadelphians between the ages of 25 and 45 having more than one year’s worth of college credit but no degree, the need for a more affordable and convenient university accessible to low- to middle-income families is essential to the growth and prosperity of Philadelphia. People who dropped out of college because of overwhelming financial pressures could find a way to finish their education and improve their quality of life, which would in turn improve the quality of life for all of Philadelphia. A SSHE university would also attract high school students who want to continue their education but lack the funds or the high test scores to admit them to Philadelphia’s more prestigious universities. The Community College of Philadelphia does a laudable job meeting some of these needs, but it is not a four-year institution with a comprehensive baccalaureate program.
Philadelphia needs a SSHE university to offer a quality affordable and accessible education for all those who need a better option. Such a university could also generate millions of dollars in income and tax revenue, as a large city employer. Philadelphia’s workforce could be educated and enlarged simultaneously, and all the benefits would go right back to the city in tax revenue, business growth and the realization of the potential in all Philadelphians. We can change the perception that Philadelphia is a poorly educated city and create a workforce that will attract more businesses and more opportunities.
In this increasingly competitive environment for better jobs, better homes and a better life for our children, shouldn’t we insist on more affordable educational opportunities for all those who live and work in Pennsylvania’s largest city?
