Connecticut ranks among the top states nationally for increasing state funding to its primary public research university ”“ the University of Connecticut ”“ but pales next to New York, which nearly doubled its own commitment over the eight years studied by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
NSF said in all but seven states, appropriations have either declined or have not kept pace with enrollment and inflation.
Connecticut increased its support for UConn 6 percent between 2002 and 2010, the second biggest increase among Northeast states after New York, which increased funding by 93 percent over the same stretch. Massachusetts cut funding 20 percent and New Jersey 27 percent as calculated by NSF.
New York led states for increasing funding on a per-student basis at 72 percent, while Connecticut cut funding by that measure 16 percent, thanks to a 26 percent increase in the size of UConn”™s student body, the agency reported.
Wyoming led the nation in committing $17,000 for each student at its primary research university, with New York spending $13,500, New Jersey more than $11,000, and Connecticut in excess of $8,500.
Colorado, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire trailed the nation in per-student spending at their respective main research universities.
