Why are colleges spending more on recreational facilities than academics?

In an attempt to court new students, U.S. colleges are spending more of their budgets on recreational facilities for students and administration than on instruction, according to a new report by the Delta Cost Project, a college cost-control advocacy group.

The report shows spending has increased among private, public and community schools from 1998 to 2008. In that time, student services – including career counseling and financial aid office as well as intramural athletics and student centers – have received an increasingly larger piece of the pie.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Private universities –instruction spending increased 22%; student services spending increased 36%
• Public universities –instruction spending increased 10%; student services spending increased 20%, and
• Community colleges – instruction spending increased 3.4%; student services spending increased 9.5%.

Are schools spending too much on student services? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Tags: college spending trends, Delta Cost Project