Penn State currently holds a $4.78 billion endowment, a figure that has more than doubled since 2016. Pitt’s $5.8 billion endowment has grown by 66% in the same span. Temple reported a 10.35% endowment increase in 2024 alone, bringing it to more than $960 million. As of 2023, Lincoln’s endowment was reported at $54 million.
By contrast, West Chester University in the southeastern region of the state is considered among the top PASSHE schools and has a reputation for its strong financial management. Its endowment was reported at $61.1 million in 2023. Slippery Rock University, another PASSHE top performer, is situated just north of Pittsburgh. Slippery Rock reported its endowment at $47.9 million the same year. On the other side of the PASSHE financial spectrum, the much smaller Cheyney University came in at just $1.7 million.
Cheyney and Lincoln represent the state’s only two historically Black colleges and universities. Despite their historic stature, both having been established before the Civil War took place, they demonstrate the wide expanse of financial pictures in both state systems.
The disparities make it difficult to get a comprehensive view of Pennsylvania’s higher education landscape. Nevertheless, they come to the state’s appropriation committees in two groups, PASSHE and state-related, for the annual tug-of-war over additional funding.
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Shieh said the university employs 3,805 full time non-instructional staff for 7,229 undergraduate students.
“This isn’t education; this is bloat paid for on the backs of families who are mortgaging their futures for a shot at a better life,” Shieh said.
Shieh said budget cuts at Brown led to dorm flooding and “unappetizing” changes to food at Brown’s dining halls while many administrators remained on payroll.
