Golden State’s system loses lustre (US)

Concern is growing at the rising number of Californian high-school students who decide against attending the state’s public universities, despite the system’s excellent reputation, researchers have found. Figures released by the Public Policy Institute of California showed that from 2007 to 2010, the number of students attending campuses of the University of California or California State University dropped by 20 per cent. The fall occurred as budget problems saw institutions raising tuition fees and being forced to turn away qualified students, according to the San Jose Mercury News. The report added that only 55 per cent of the highest-achieving students from the state’s schools went on to enrol at state universities, down from 67 per cent. The figures echo data showing a shift from public institutions to private universities, with the latter seeing a significant rise in the number of applicants from California.

Source: Times Higher Education http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=419915&c=1