MnSCU tuition up, but not steeply

The smallest tuition increase in a decade came in a tough budget year.

By JEFF SHELMAN, Star Tribune

Last update: May 22, 2008 - 12:04 AM

Despite the state's budget deficit and cuts in funding to higher education, students at schools in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system avoided the sharp tuition increases of previous years.

On Wednesday, the MnSCU Board of Trustees made good on its pledge to limit the rise in tuition for 2008-09. Students at two-year colleges will see tuition increase by 2 percent, while those at four-year universities will see a 3 percent rise, the smallest increase in a decade.

Student leaders at both two- and four-year schools were happy with the small increases, especially after MnSCU received a net cut of $7.9 million from the Legislature.

"This means so much to us," Kara Brockett, the president of the Minnesota State University Student Association, told the trustees.

When fees are added to the equation, the average cost at two-year schools will go up by an average of 2.7 percent ($120 for the academic year), and the average four-year cost will increase by 3.2 percent ($189).

Bemidji State students will see the biggest jump among four-year universities; tuition and fees will rise by 3.8 percent ($249). North Hennepin Community College students face the biggest increase for two-year students, as tuition and fees will increase by 4.6 percent ($202).

Southwest Minnesota State students will see tuition and fees increase by 2.7 percent ($170), the smallest four-year increase. Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College has the smallest two-year increase at 1.7 percent ($75).

Beginning in August, the average tuition and fees at two-year schools will be $4,565. Four-year tuition and fees will average $6,083.

Jeff Shelman • 612-673-7478