Tuition will increase by $5 per credit hour this fall at Rogers State University due to declining state support and rising operating costs.
The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, the governing board for RSU, approved the new rate at its meeting on Monday, June 21.
“RSU is doing everything it can to keep tuition affordable for students and their parents,” said RSU President Dr. Larry Rice. “As a result of decreasing state support and rising fixed costs, we had no choice but to increase tuition by a modest amount.”
During the last few years, state support of public colleges and universities, including RSU, has decreased while enrollment has increased, according to Tom Volturo, RSU executive vice president for administration and finance. The university also is experiencing increased operating costs, he said.
This fall, tuition will be $95.95 per credit hour, an increase of $5 over last year’s rate of $90.95.
For full-time students taking 30 credit hours, the tuition increase will result in an additional $150 per year, or $15 per month (over 10 months of instruction.)
In addition, mandatory fees have been increased by $2.85 per credit hour, also effective this fall.
Students were informed of increases in tuition and mandatory fees during meetings with RSU administrators, Volturo said.
To help students and parents cover the cost, RSU plans to boost its scholarship budget by more than $400,000.
Tuition and fees at other public colleges and universities are expected to increase at similar rates. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will meet to consider tuition and fee increases at state institutions on Thursday, June 24.
Nationwide, students and their parents are paying a higher percentage of the cost of a college education as state legislatures face fiscal challenges and reduce support for public education.
“The cost of a college education in Oklahoma is still lower than nearby states, including Kansas and Arkansas, and we are committed to maintaining that affordability,” Rice noted. “Although the cost of attending RSU has increased slightly, it is still a good value and less expensive than comparable institutions.”
Enrollment is currently underway for the fall semester, which begins on Aug. 12. To enroll, or get more information, call (918) 343-7777 or 1-800-256-7511 or visit www.rsu.edu.