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Across the Pond: A Comparison of Key Data About British and U.S. Higher Education

October 26, 2010

The British government unveiled a four-year budget this month that includes drastic cuts to higher education. The cuts accelerate a steady move away from a publicly supported system to one in which students and the private sector shoulder more of the costs: in other words, a system that looks more like the American model.

To see how the two systems actually compare, The Chronicle has compiled some data that illustrate how government financing, overall national support, and tuition rates differ between the United States and Britain.

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The British government unveiled a four-year budget this month that includes drastic cuts to higher education. The cuts accelerate a steady move away from a publicly supported system to one in which students and the private sector shoulder more of the costs: in other words, a system that looks more like the American model.

To see how the two systems actually compare, The Chronicle has compiled some data that illustrate how government financing, overall national support, and tuition rates differ between the United States and Britain.

Tuition and Fees

Academic year Average tuition at U.S. 4-year public institutions England’s tuition cap
1998-99 $3,247 $1,667
2006-7 $5,804 $5,710
2012-13 (projected) n/a $10,972
Note: Figures are not adjusted for inflation. Pounds are converted to dollars for September 1 of their respective years. The projected figure for England is based on a conversion of £7,000—the current figure suggested by the government as a possible cap—as of October 24, 2010.
Sources: The College Board, House of Commons Library, Chronicle reporting

National Expenditures

United States Britain
Public expenditures on higher education as a percentage of GDP, 2007 1, 2 1.2% 0.9%
All expenditures on higher education as a percentage of GDP, 20071 3.1% 1.3%
Annual expenditure by higher-education institutions per student for all services, excluding research and development, 20071 $24,230 $9,0233
1. Includes vocational and trade schools.
2. Public expenditure includes subsidies to households for living costs, which are not spent directly on educational institutions.
3. Converted to U.S. dollars.
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Sources of Income

Figures are not directly comparable because of the different structures of the two higher-education systems.
Percentage of higher-education revenue for 2008-9 coming from: U.S. 4-year public institutions British institutions
Government support 23.8%1 34.8%2
Tuition and fees 17.9% 28.7%
1. Measured by state appropriations.
2. Measured by grants from higher-education groups such as the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Sources: Higher Education Statistics Agency, U.S. Education Department

Compiled by Andrea Fuller and Beth McMurtrie.

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We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.
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