Average tuition increase of $169 at state universities approved Board of Trustees
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees today approved a budget that holds undergraduate tuition increases to an average of $114 at two-year colleges and an average of $169 at state universities for the 2009-2010 academic year.
That means full-time students at the 25 state colleges will pay an average tuition of $4,194 while students at the seven state universities will pay an average tuition of $5,791. Although the board raised tuition rates by 5 percent, the infusion of one-time federal stimulus funds will bring the increase that students pay down to a 2.8 percent for the colleges and 3 percent for the state universities. Some students will even see their tuition bill go down this year because larger student grants may offset the increase.
“We worked hard to keep the tuition increase as low as possible,” said Board Chair David Olson. “In the end, affordable tuition means more students can receive the education and training that Minnesota needs to remain competitive.”
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 250,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 140,000 students in non-credit courses.