Alliance for Montana’s Future Website online

The new Alliance website is now online http://www.montanasfuture.com/ and available to help promote and support the strengths and value of our Montana Higher Education Institutions. As the new motto states: "The Single Most Important Issue for a Strenghtened Economy is Education".

Making appropriate investments in our schools, colleges, universities, and workforce development programs, will create multiple
long-term returns on investment for Montana and its citizens. Among those returns will be a more vibrant and diversified
economy, greater employment opportunities, stronger communities, and rising income levels.

The Alliance for Montana’s
Future is dedicated to achieving the goal of a stronger economy for Montana through support of its higher education system.

Facts on Higher Education

Did you know. . .?

The total number of higher education students in Montana is nearly 40,000.

Montana’s approximate per capita appropriation to higher education in 2001 was $157.

Montana spends less per capita on higher education than 46 of the 50 states.

The Montana University System attracts more than $120 million annually in outside research funding and grants.

Montana is ranked 8th in the nation for university sponsored research and development.

Montana’s per capita income dropped from 90% of the national average in 1980 to 76% of the national average in 2000.

In Montana, those with college degrees make, on average, nearly twice as much as those with a high-school diploma.

From 1991 to 2001, tuition went up more than 117%, while state appropriations to higher education increased by only 7%.

Faculty salaries at two-year colleges in Montana are 42% below the national average.

Faculty salaries at universities in Montana are 19% below the national average.

In 1980, resident tuition in the Montana university system was 3% of the Montana per capita income. In 1999, it was 9%.

In 1990, Montana residents paid $124 less per year in tuition in the Montana University System than did students at universities
in our peer states. In 2000, Montana resident students are paying $242 more than students in peer states.

Among students graduating from Montana University System campuses in 1999, those who had to borrow to cover the cost of
their education accumulated an average debt of over $17,000.

Higher Education Impacts Economic Development

The Montana University System and the higher education sources help economic development throughout the state in the
following ways:

Research and development at the educational institutions often leads to new technologies and processes that can become
products around which new businesses can grow.

By providing an educated and trained work force.

Offering business advice and technical expertise to companies of all sizes.

By providing continuing education to workforce members who need credits.

Montana’s Institutions of Higher Education

6 four-year institutions

5 colleges of technology

3 community colleges

3 private colleges

7 tribal colleges

http://www.montanasfuture.com/