
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 28, 1994                   TAG: 9409280063
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BOSTON                                  LENGTH: Medium

COLLEGE COSTS OUTPACE INFLATION

PUBLIC RELATIONS and school-funded scholarships are pricier than instmbruction in college budgets, a study found.

The average tuition at America's four-year colleges rose 6 percent this year, twice the rate of inflation, and studies show that a growing share of the money is going toward public relations instead of teaching.

Although the increase was twice the inflation rate, it also was the smallest since 1989, according to the College Board, an association of 2,800 higher-education institutions. The figures were released Tuesday.

According to the College Board, average tuition now is $11,709 at four-year private schools and $2,686 at four-year public schools, both 6 percent increases over last year.

The cost of two-year private institutions rose 5 percent, to $6,511; costs at two-year public colleges rose 4 percent, to $1,298.

When room, board, books, supplies and transportation are included, the average total cost of a college education comes to $18,784 for resident students at four-year private schools and $8,990 at public schools.

Separate government statistics also show that the proportion of money used by colleges for instruction, libraries and maintenance is shrinking, and the amount spent on public relations, marketing and fund raising is increasing.

``We're paying more and getting less than we got 10 years ago,'' said Stephanie Arelonio, president of the U.S. Student Association. ``We're learning from videotapes in some instances. Class sizes have grown. ... It would be nice to see the professor sometime.''

David Warren, president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, said health care benefits for faculty members and staff account for much of the tuition increase.

Also, federal grants and loans have not kept pace with demand, forcing colleges to give their own scholarships, Warren said. School spending on scholarships and fellowships rose 70 percent from 1982 to 1992, according to the U.S. Education Department.

During the same period, the proportion of their budgets that colleges spent on instruction fell from 32.4 percent to 30.7 percent, the department said.

by CNB