The state of Illinois received a “D” grade in the category of affordability for higher education in an evaluation by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.

The center evaluated higher education in all 50 states and is an independent, non-profit and non-partisan organization. Six different categories were ranked for each state: preparation, participation, affordability, completion, benefits and learning.

Three factors have affected the cost of higher education in the state of Illinois: a reduction in funding for higher education, tuition increases and federal loan programs have not expanded fast enough, NIU President John Peters said.

“State funding reductions are not just an Illinois phenomenon; it is a national phenomenon,” Peters said.

The U.S. Department of Education financial aid program distributes about $92 million a year to students at NIU. For the entire state of Illinois, about $3.7 billion is awarded annually. On a national scale, about $70 billion is paid out each year.

The NCPPHE used a scale that rated the cost of higher education now versus the cost of it 10 years ago, said Don Sevener, director of external relations for the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

“The national center used a different formula than they used for the ranking,” Sevener said. “They believe their formula gives a good impression to what affordability is.”

No states received an “A” grade for affordability. California received a “B” and two states, Minnesota and Utah, received a “C” grade.

The issue of cost is a subject Peters said he is “very sensitive to.”

“The report is valid, but it does not help with the problem,” Peters said. “Cost is a serious, serious issue, but this report card has been blown out of proportion.”

One major factor for the low rating was a $38-million cut in funding to the monetary award program during the fiscal year 2003, Sevener said.

“The grade has given IBHE one more reason to stress affordability for higher education in our budget in fiscal year 2006,” Sevener said. “It’s among the top factors we are looking at for FY06.”

The Truth in Tuition Act, which guarantees students the same tuition rates for four years, was not factored into the grading for Illinois because the law took effect starting the 2004-’05 academic year.

“It’s hard to say if the act will have an effect on the grade next time,” Sevener said. “They have to look at it in the entire context.”

The act could have an effect on revenue, which in turn might have an effect on affordability in the future, Peters said.

“We don’t know if it will produce enough revenue for the school over the next four to five years,” Peters said. “It is too early to tell yet, but so far, so good.”

Despite the low grade the state received, Peters defended the cost of an NIU education.

“People invest in homes and cars,” Peters said. “What’s the cost of a luxury car - $44,000? Compared to that, an NIU education is very affordable.”