State university tuition increases go into effect in fall
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California University of Pennsylvania and other state universities will cost more to attend next fall.
The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education on Thursday approved a $240 tuition increase for the 2015-16 academic year, despite Gov. Tom Wolf’s plea for a tuition freeze.
The board, which represents 14 state system universities, cited inadequate state funding as the driving force behind the tuition hike. The board voted in April to endorse a tuition freeze contingent on Wolf passing a budget that increased the SSHE budget by more than $45 million. To date, budget negotiations are ongoing.
The board stated it made more than $270 million in combined budget cuts over the last decade, and would need to make about $30 million in additional cuts next year if state funding is not increased.
“Even with the modest tuition increase we approved today, the universities still would need to make significant budget cuts without any increased funding from the state again next year,” said Board of Governors Chairman Guido M. Pichini. “We will continue to talk with the governor and the Legislature to seek their support on behalf of our students and their families.”
The increase sets the annual full-time tuition rate at $7,060 for Pennsylvanian students. Full-time, nonresident tuition will range from about $7,413 to $17,650, according to the State System of Higher Education.
The board stated the tuition increase will provide about half of the additional funds the universities need to balance their budgets. Without the increase, the board claimed universities would have needed to cut their budgets by a combined $66.8 million this year.
Cal U. issued a statement in response to the tuition increase.
“We understand that for our Cal U. students, every dollar counts – and we believe that a Cal U. education remains an excellent value,” the statement read. “Our goal, as always, is to provide an outstanding academic experience that will equip students for success, both in their lives and in their careers.”