Between the two spreadsheets we have created for the financial cost of going to school at U of A and Mizzou (Formal names for the universities), there are several interesting differences. (Tell us what the differences are in the lede.)
When looking at the numbers straight off, the University of Arkansas is comparatively cheaper than the University of Missouri (this is your lede) The difference in tuition of the U of A versus Missou is almost $700 less for in state students and over $3000 less for out of state students (what is the overall figure? $8,522 and $21,826). Overall the University of Missouri charges it’s( it’s = it is) out of state students $2,353 less than the University of Arkansas.
The University of Arkansas charges it’s out of state students $13,304, or 63.9%, 36.1% more in tuition and fees than in state students, while the University of Missouri charges it’s out of states students $15,657, or 60.7%, more than it’s in state students.
It is important to note the difference and percent change between the two schools’ changing tuition fees over the course of four years. From 2012-2016, the University of Arkansas raised it’s tuition and fees 9.5% for in state students and 13.8% for out of state students.(this also could be the lede) The University of Missouri raised it’s tuition and fees between 2012 and 2016 8% for in state students and 9.2% for out of state students.
The University of Arkansas slowed their increasing of tuition and fees by 2016. From 2012-2013, tuition overall increased 3.45 percent, then increased again between 2013 and 2014 to 4.57%. In 2016 tuition only increased by 3.60% from the previous year. However, the U of A increased their tuition and fees 12.1% from what students were paying in 2012. Comparatively, the University of Missouri increased it’s tuition and fees 8.7% by 2016 from what its rates in 2012.
Both universities raised their tuition costs over time between 2012 and 2016. While they seem to have slowed the rate of increase of tuition, they are still charging more and more each year from out of state and in state students. The University of Missouri charges more overall in tuition, but the University of Arkansas’s percent change/percent increase, has changed more drastically than the University of Missouri each year from 2012-2016.(good)
*Edit 1.30.17*
I realize that I wrote this as a blog entry rather than a news story. My apologies.
-R
You correctly analyzed the major trends but there are a number of style errors here. Look at my comments and please fix going forward. It’s = it is. Its = the possessive form.
Write these memos with news ledes in mind. Give us the findings right up top.
The math on the percentage paid by out of state residents was wrong.
In-state total= $23,506
Out of state total= $36,810
difference = $13,304
% Difference in state vs out of state: $23,506 / $36,810 = 63.86%. “In state tuition is 64% of the out of state tuition.” OR “in-state students pay 36% less than out of state students.”
100-63.86 = 36.14%
Check it: $36,810 * .3614 = $13,303.134.
$36,810- $13,303 = $23,506
On the spreadsheet, paste the URL of the web page where you obtained the data
The calculations were accurate but there were a few odd things:
The first calculation in this column doesn’t make sense to me: Percentage Difference (2015-2016)
We do not need this row: Total In and Out of State