Friday, November 14, 2014
Associated Press
COLUMBUS
Ohio’s nationwide rank for average student debt is improving, but education officials, students and researchers disagree on whether progress actually is being made on college affordability in the state.
A report from the Institute for College Access and Success shows students who received bachelor’s degrees in 2013 at Ohio colleges and universities graduated with an average of $29,090 in student debt, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
The report ranked Ohio 11th in the nation for the most college debt, but the state has improved in the rankings in recent years. Just two years ago, it had the seventh-highest student debt.
Although 68 percent of students in Ohio graduated with college debt last year, Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor John Carey said Ohio schools are doing more to help students save money. Institutions are advising students to utilize dual-enrollment programs in high school, intervening early in cases of struggling students and providing better information about college costs, he said.
Carey said the improvement in rank is a measure of success, but the report showed Ohio’s rank isn’t necessarily improving due to lower student debt, but rather that debt rose faster in other states.
Last year’s average was a nominal $53 more than in 2012.
Nationally, the average for student debt rose by 2 percent since 2012, showing the situation isn’t improving, said Debbie Cochrane, co-author of the report.
Celia Wright, president of Ohio State University’s student government, told the newspaper that state cuts to higher education funding has hurt students. The high cost of college keeps students from pursuing advanced degrees and forces some to take part-time jobs rather than join student groups, Wright said.
“It’s unfortunate that Ohio has not been able to make higher education a priority,” she said.