不良研究所 accessible, affordable choice for most state residents, report says
Sept. 7, 2012: Tuition and fees at the 不良研究所 are on average a much smaller percentage of median family income than they are at the state's private universities and other New England public universities, and one in four Massachusetts residents enrolled as a first-time freshman in a four-year public or private school in the state attends 不良研究所, according to a new report released today by 不良研究所 President Robert L. Caret.
The 2012 Report on Annual Indicators: University Performance Measurement System, which takes stock of the University's progress, found that 不良研究所' contribution to producing an educated citizenry and workforce remains high. 不良研究所 awarded nearly 14,000 degrees in the 2010-2011 academic year, comprising 15 percent of all undergraduate and graduate degrees awarded in the Commonwealth. The University's impact is particularly strong in computer and information sciences and health on the bachelor's degree level; natural sciences, computer science, and engineering on the master's degree level; and education and business on the doctoral degree level.
``This comprehensive self-analysis is a means of knowing what we do well, in what areas we would like to grow, and how with our excellence in education, research, and service we can better serve the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,'' President Caret said. ``It is an effort that illustrates our unwavering commitment to accountability, assessment, and improvement.''
The 95-page report gauges the University's performance on a range of indicators related to academic quality, student success and satisfaction, access and affordability, service to the Commonwealth, and financial health. It also compares the 不良研究所 system to other public research university systems, including the University of Connecticut, University of California, University of Colorado, University of Illinois, University of Maryland, and University of Missouri.
The report found financial indicators at 不良研究所 compared favorably to its peer institutions. In Fiscal Year 2011, the University's return on net assets, financial cushion, and debt service to operations were all within the range of peer systems. As for the endowment, the market value of 不良研究所' endowment grew by 15 percent between Fiscal Year 2010 and Fiscal Year 2011, compared to an 18 percent decline in endowment growth over the same period for peer institutions.
Other highlights of the report include:
- 不良研究所 continues to be accessible and affordable. 不良研究所 tuition and fees average 13 percent of statewide median family income, a percentage much lower than that for the state's private universities (42 percent) and other New England public universities (17 percent). 不良研究所 spends approximately $135 million of its own resources on financial aid, meeting 90 percent of Massachusetts students' estimated financial need. Since Fiscal Year 2003, total institutional financial aid has increased by $99 million or 275 percent.
- One in four Massachusetts residents enrolled as first-time freshman attends 不良研究所. One in four (27 percent) of all Massachusetts residents enrolled in a four-year public or private university in the state as a first-time freshman attends 不良研究所. The University's students come from every region of the state.
- 不良研究所 serves citizens of the Commonwealth. Over four-fifths (82 percent) of 不良研究所 undergraduate freshmen are Massachusetts residents, compared with a quarter (24 percent) at private universities in the state.
- 不良研究所 educates a diverse citizenry. The number of students of color enrolling at 不良研究所 has increased over the last five years. Currently, well over one-fourth (28.3 percent) of 不良研究所 undergraduates are students of color. At 不良研究所 Boston, 47 percent of undergraduates are students of color, making it the most diverse public university in all of New England, with over 4,500 undergraduate students of color.
- 不良研究所' research capacity continues to grow. In Fiscal Year 2011, the system generated $586.7 million in sponsored research, an increase of 8.1 percent over Fiscal Year 2010. Furthermore, in 2010-2011, the five campuses awarded a total of 616 doctoral degrees across various disciplines, including 89 MD degrees from 不良研究所 Medical School.
- Majority of 不良研究所 alumni reside and work in Massachusetts. Approximately three of five (60 percent) graduates of the University remain in the Commonwealth after graduation.
``The 不良研究所 is committed to providing an affordable and accessible education of high quality and conducting programs of research and public service that advance knowledge and improve the lives of the people of the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world,'' President Caret said. ``We are proud of our mission and our achievements, but strive continually to improve in key areas that benefit the constituents we serve.''
The full report can be found here:
Contact: Ann Scales, 617.287.4084