THE LEDGER-STAR 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, September 28, 1994          TAG: 9409280627
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY JON MARCUS, ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: BOSTON                             LENGTH: Medium:   55 lines

COLLEGE COSTS STILL GOING UP THE AVERAGE INCREASE IS DOUBLE THE INFLATION RATE.

College tuition is rising at double the inflation rate as less of it is being spent on teaching.

Average tuition at four-year colleges and universities rose 6 percent this year, according to figures released today by the College Board, an association of 2,800 higher-education institutions.

Government statistics, meanwhile, say the proportion of money used for instruction, libraries and maintenance is shrinking slightly while funding for public relations, marketing, fundraising and other administrative costs has increased dramatically.

``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. And (teaching assistants) are great, but it would be nice to see the professor sometime.''

But university officials pointed out that this year's increase was the smallest since 1989, and called that proof they're bringing higher education costs under control.

Tuition rose to an average of $11,709 this year at four-year private universities and an average of $2,686 at four-year public universities.

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

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

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

Tuition, fees, room and board at some of the most expensive

colleges in America:

Hampshire College, Amherst, Mass., $26,820

Brandeis University, Waltham, Mass., $26,409

Yale University, New Haven, Conn., $26,350

Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, N.Y., $26,258

Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., $26,230

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass., $26,075

Bennington College, Bennington, Vt., $25,800

Smith College, Northampton, Mass., $25,375

by CNB