Rapidly rising tuition at Virginia universities is emerging as one of the most difficult challenges faced by Gov. Bob McDonnell’s recently announced Commission on Higher Education.
In-state tuition at Virginia Commonwealth University, for example, will increase 24 percent next year, and out-of-state students will pay $1,200 more in tuition and fees. The University of Virginia Board of Visitors increased tuition for in-state students by 9.9 percent, or $956, for next year, bringing the annual total to $10,628. Tuition for out-of-state students will increase by about 5 percent to $33,574.
A combination of state budget cuts and the winding down of federal stimulus dollars are contributing to the tuition hikes.
“We have to look at tuition affordability,” said former U.Va. Rector and Dominion Resources Chief Executive Thomas Farrell, who is chairman of the Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment. “The governor is very concerned about the tuition increases, as I’m [confident] all Virginians are.”
In announcing the members of the commission, which includes state university presidents as well as business leaders and politicians, the governor acknowledged the growing problem.
“We must make higher education more affordable and accessible for Virginians, and expand pathways to earning a college degree,” McDonnell said in announcing the commission, which also includes Del. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William, Del. Tom Rust, R-Loudoun, and Jerry Falwell Jr., chancellor of Liberty University.
Virginia’s community colleges, which set an enrollment record during the 2009-2010 school year, are also feeling the pain. In-state students will pay $107.50 per credit hour during the 2010-2011 school year, a 7.5 percent increase from this year. The State Board for Community Colleges voted to use federal stimulus money to offset that fee by $2 per credit hour.
“We’re living in historic times,” said Jeffrey Kraus, assistant chancellor for public relations with the Virginia Community College System. “We’re seeing an historic number of people while absorbing historic state budget cuts.”
The system comprises 23 community colleges located on 40 campuses across the commonwealth. Upon enrollment, students are guaranteed admission to more than 25 public and private four-year colleges in the state.
