One good way to lower the overall cost of a four-year degree is to spend your first two years at a local Community College. They offer associate degrees, trade certifications and basic undergraduate courses. Our community colleges are funded by state appropriations, local taxes and student tuition. State appropriations are split into two allocations: 1) a smaller base allocation of $1M per school, regardless of school size, and 2) a larger allocation based on the number of hours taught. We need to adjust our funding to provide a higher base allocation and reduce the allocation based on the number of hours taught. This funding shift to a larger base allocation would provide the schools more stability in acquiring qualified faculty staff and in planning classroom schedules.
Just like our four-year colleges and universities, the community colleges have been short changed for a long time. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating board has requested $160M in the next budget for our 50 community college districts. It's time to invest in our children. This is the most practical, near term way to make college affordable for our next generation.