UW receives 37% of its funding from the state, the rest comes from tuition[0]. In 2002, it was 70% from the state. And of tuition, at least ~25% of that comes f

UW receives 37% of its funding from the state, the rest comes from tuition[0]. In 2002, it was 70% from the state. And of tuition, at least ~25% of that comes from public sources (grants, subsides loans)[1]. And even if some public universities are self-sustaining now, that doesn't lessen the fact that public money was the major cause that started that flywheel. And regardless of funding, UW, like all public universities, has an explicit directive to operate for the "benefit of present and future citizens of the State of Washington"[2][3]. As for course lecture quality, if it's worthwhile to the students, it can be worthwhile for the public. [0] https://www.washington.edu/opb/uw-data/fast-facts/ https://www.washington.edu/opb/uw-data/fast-facts/ [1] https://educationdata.org/how-do-people-pay-for-college https://educationdata.org/how-do-people-pay-for-college [2] https://www.washington.edu/regents/ https://www.washington.edu/regents/ [3] https://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.20.130 https://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.20.130