The Idaho Board of Education says the state’s universities and colleges have shed more than 70 degree programs since the economic downturn began.
The Spokesman-Review reports board president Richard Westerberg told legislative budget writers on Friday the schools have also eliminated a dozen minors and certificates, along with 28 professional-technical education programs.
Westerberg says requests to discontinue an additional 20 degree programs are pending as Idaho’s universities and colleges look to further streamline how they operate.
While the schools have increased student fees for the past four years to help offset declines in state funding, Westerberg says the cost per credit hour has decreased from $213 in 2008 to $167 last year.
Westerberg urged the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee to invest more money into higher education as Idaho’s economy improves. (AP)
