THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 11, 1996 TAG: 9604110365
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
More money, new staff positions and a tuition freeze in the state's new budget could drop Virginia from second to fifth in the national rankings of the most expensive four-year public colleges.
Similarly, Virginia's research universities could drop from eighth to 11th place in tuition costs, the State Council of Higher Education was told in a staff report Tuesday.
The rankings are compiled annually by the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board. The average in-state tuition at Virginia four-year colleges is $3,959, second only to Vermont and far above the national average of $2,534. The state's research universities - the six institutions with extensive doctoral programs - have an average in-state tuition of $4,614. The national average is $3,210. Pending final approval by the governor this week, Virginia's colleges will gain $202 million in additional money in the 1996-98 budget, reversing seven years of cuts and stagnation.
KEYWORDS: COLLEGE TUITION BUDGET by CNB