Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 2, 1993 TAG: 9306020270
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By PHILIP WALZER LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
But it still will keep Virginia among the most expensive states for a public college education. Most states are averaging 7 percent to 9 percent increases, according to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
In Virginia, where state-supported colleges have been encouraged to charge more to make up for a 20 percent drop in state funding, tuition and fees will have gone up 44 percent since 1989.
The average cost next fall will be $3,418.
The 9 percent average is the lowest among the state-supported and community colleges in three years. For undergraduates from Virginia, the biggest increases next school year will be 16.5 percent at George Mason University in Fairfax and 12.8 percent at Clinch Valley College in Wise.
The most expensive school will remain the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, which will cost $4,940 next year, excluding room and board. Next highest is $4,414 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg.
With steep tuition increases year after year, reaction even among students has switched from outrage to near-resignation.
That was reflected in the council's muted discussion on the matter. Members spent only about 10 minutes of a nearly three-hour meeting on the subject. But the statistics outlined dramatic changes:
For doctoral-granting universities, Virginia ranks about eighth-most-expensive in the nation. For other four-year colleges, it ranks second highest.
Tuition and fees as a percentage of per-capita income in Virginia has risen from 9.9 percent in 1980 to 16.2 percent this year.
For out-of-state students, who are charged much higher rates, some Virginia private colleges actually have become cheaper than state-supported institutions. "That pleases the private institutions no end," said Gordon K. Davies, director of the council.
But Davies offered one bright note: There is no evidence that the price increases are driving Virginia students out of state for college. "We are still a net importer of students," he said.
\ TUITION INCREASES\ WHAT IN-STATE STUDENTS WILL BE PAYING FOR TUITION AND FEES\ \ SCHOOL PERCENT OF INCREASE\ Christopher Newport 11.6\ Clinch Valley 12.8\ George Mason 16.5\ James Madison 6.2\ Longwood 12.1\ Mary Washington 5.9\ Norfolk State 7.5\ Old Dominion 9.6\ Radford 6.5\ Richard Bland 10.5\ University of Virginia 11.8\ Virginia Commonwealth 6.2\ Virginia Military Institute 6.5\ Virginia State 4.7\ Virginia Tech 7.7\ William and Mary 9.1\ Community colleges 7.3\ STATE AVERAGE 9.0
by CNB