Bend, OR – Oregon’s higher education system is facing a critical funding shortfall, according to university and community college leaders who warn that proposed budget increases will not be enough to meet growing needs. While the state’s proposed budget for public higher education has risen slightly over the past biennium, it still falls short of what institutions require to keep pace with rising costs and maintain access to affordable education.
Andria Johnson, Vice President of Finance and Administration at Portland State University, expressed concern that the state’s lack of sufficient investment in higher education will only exacerbate existing challenges. “Oregon already trails behind most other states in support of public higher education,” Johnson said. “Now is not the time to fall farther behind.”
Governor Tina Kotek’s proposed budget includes a slight increase to the $1.08 billion earmarked for university operations and research. While the increase is a step forward, leaders of Oregon’s public universities argue it does not meet the growing financial needs of these institutions. The Oregon Council of Presidents (OCOP), which represents the leaders of Oregon’s public universities, has called for an additional $195 million to fully fund operations and support critical academic and research initiatives.
The proposed budget also includes $25 million to support workforce development in behavioral health care and $29 million to expand financial aid programs, such as the Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG), which helps low-income students access higher education. However, education advocates argue that these investments are insufficient to meet the demand for financial aid. The Oregon Community College Association (OCCA) and OCOP are urging lawmakers to increase funding for the OOG by $150 million to better support students in need.
Oregon’s 17 community colleges are particularly hard-hit by the proposed budget. Despite a $870 million allocation for community colleges, the Oregon Community Colleges Association (OCCA) estimates that the funding is still $50 million short of what is needed to maintain current operations. Community college leaders, including Portland Community College President Adrien Bennings, warned that without adequate funding, institutions may be forced to raise tuition fees. Bennings emphasized that such increases could undermine the mission of community colleges to provide affordable, accessible education to students in underserved communities.
“Without sufficient investment, we risk compromising our ability to train the workforce Oregon needs—especially in critical areas like housing construction, behavioral health, and childcare,” Bennings said. “This is when access to education is needed most.”
With the state’s growing need for skilled workers in vital sectors such as health care, housing, and childcare, many argue that investing in higher education is essential for Oregon’s economic future. However, the current funding proposal does not adequately address these long-term needs, and both universities and community colleges are urging lawmakers to take swift action.
As the legislative session continues, education leaders across the state are lobbying for increased funding to support both operating costs and student financial aid. Their message is clear: unless the state makes a more substantial investment in higher education, Oregon could face increased tuition, limited access to education, and a weakened workforce pipeline at a time when the state’s economic recovery depends on it.
Oregon’s higher education system, once a national leader in providing affordable access to college, is now at a crossroads. Whether or not the legislature heeds the calls for additional funding will likely shape the future of public higher education in the state for years to come.
