Administration

Penn State's appropriation increases as General Assembly adopts 2019-20 budget

The Pennsylvania State University seal is inscribed on a pillar behind the HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus. Credit: Chris Koleno / Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s 2019-20 general support appropriation from the Commonwealth increased by 2%, or approximately $4.75 million, as the University’s non-preferred appropriations bill passed the General Assembly today (June 27) as part of Pennsylvania’s $34 billion budget package, which is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf.

The University’s state appropriation also includes a 2% funding increase for Penn State Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension and a 17.6% increase for Pennsylvania College of Technology.

“With four of the past five budgets including increases to Penn State’s funding, we are thankful that leadership in Harrisburg, particularly Sen. Corman, Rep. Benninghoff and Gov. Wolf, has shown support for Penn State and public higher education,” said Penn State President Eric Barron. “As Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, the Commonwealth’s investment in Penn State has a significant impact on the University’s three-part mission of teaching, research and service on behalf of Pennsylvanians. This funding increase will help with our longstanding efforts to educate Pennsylvania’s future workforce and leaders, drive innovation and economic development, solve some of society’s greatest challenges, and improve the quality of life in every corner of our state.”

Each year, Penn State’s appropriation benefits approximately 50,000 Pennsylvania resident undergraduate students and their families who receive an in-state tuition rate. While tuition schedules for the upcoming academic year will not be set until the Board of Trustees meets in July, Barron said the University has been and remains committed to controlling the cost of a degree — as evidenced by Penn State’s No. 5 ranking among all 50 state flagship universities for the smallest overall increase in in-state tuition over the last 10 years, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2018-19 Almanac.

In addition to helping to offset the cost of tuition for resident students, state support aids Penn State Agricultural Research and Extension operations that have a profound impact on one of the Commonwealth’s critical industries, and provides important funding for Pennsylvania College of Technology and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, all in support of Penn State’s land-grant mission to benefit the citizens of Pennsylvania.

Under the budget package approved today, Penn State’s general support appropriation will increase to $242.1 million, up from $237.3 million in 2018-19. The University’s overall 2019-20 state appropriation totals $337.2 million and also includes:

— $54.96 million for Penn State Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension, representing an increase of 2%, or approximately $1.1 million. These programs serve citizens and the agricultural industry in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Because these activities are not supplemented with tuition, appropriations increases are necessary to keep pace with the rising cost of providing critical research and support for Pennsylvania agriculture.

— $26.74 million for the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, representing an increase of 17.6%, or $4 million. Penn College is a wholly owned subsidiary of Penn State with a focus on applied technology education.

— Level funding of $13.4 million for Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

With the University’s state appropriation set, Penn State’s proposed operating budget and tuition schedules for 2019-20 will be presented to the Board of Trustees for consideration at the body’s next meeting, scheduled for July 18 at Penn State Brandywine in Media, Pennsylvania.

Last Updated July 11, 2019