Education: The Money Tree

Shaking the money tree harder than ever, U.S. colleges and universities are carting off a rich harvest of gifts. The 1956-57 take: $832,937,123, received by 910 private and state-run schools. In 1954-55, according to a survey released this week by the American Alumni Council, the American College Public Relations Association, and the Council for Financial Aid to Education. 728 four-year institutions surveyed reported gifts of only $336,030,106. Increase within three years for the 553 private colleges and universities taking part in both surveys: 101.6%.

Philanthropic foundations in 1956-57 handed out 39% of the gifts—$319 million. Next most generous source: alumni, who donated $101 million. Grants and gifts tabbed for faculty salaries (including the vast Ford Foundation gifts) rose 506% from 1954-55; next highest gain was in gifts for basic research—up 135%.

The richest schools got richer—47.1% of the year’s gifts went to 65 major private universities. Yale, leading with $23,465,347, could stack its gifts slightly higher than Harvard, with $22,558,855. Among state universities, California was by far the best money magnet, with $15,366,679; the University of Michigan got $7,612,890. Leaders in other categories: ¶Private men’s colleges, the University of the South. $1,883,598. ¶Private women’s colleges. Bryn Mawr, $2,863,716. ¶Private coed colleges, Brandeis. $4,271,713. ¶Private professional or technical schools.

Caltech. $6,505,675. (M.I.T., listed among

major private universities, collected $8,497,930).