University announces slight tuition increase

June 23, 2008 —

SVSU recently set tuition and fees for the 2008-09 academic year, raising its tuition 3.7 percent.

The raise is modest in comparison to the 12.9 percent tuition boost the University made prior to the 2007-08 school year.

The increase means state residents taking undergraduate courses will now pay $216.40 per credit hour, up from $208.60.

Under the revised tuition and fees, a student taking a 30-credit course load will pay $6,492 per academic year, a $234 increase.

Muladore said University officials felt they knew enough about the projections to take a chance and set the budget now instead of waiting.

Despite the increase, SVSU remains the least expensive public university in Michigan.

"We're one of the most lean, frugal, conservative universities in Michigan and one of the results of that is offering the least expensive tuition among public universities in Michigan," Muladore said.

The increase is also smaller than ones made by several other Michigan universities this year.

The University of Michigan announced a 5.6 percent tuition increase Thursday, a move that tacks on $590 annually for the full-time, in-state undergraduate.

Michigan State University's Board of Trustees approved a 6.8 percent tuition increase for the 2008-09 school year June 13. That increase adds $639 each school year for in-state freshmen and sophomores.

The quantity of incoming students for the fall, according to Muladore, also affected the rise in tuition.

Other issues such as the cost of oil and the subsequently loftier utility bills also played a role in the increase.

The University, however, is still giving back to the students.

University officials announced an 8.7 percent increase in student financial aid to coincide with the announcement of the revised tuition and fees.