Arizona universities propose tuition hikes
Arizona’s three state universities released proposals to increase tuition for the 2009-10 school year Thursday.
Arizona State University proposes its typical 5 percent hike, which was approved by the Arizona Board of Regents in 2007. The board’s action limits increases for returning in-state undergraduate students to 5 percent each year for up to five years after enrollment. New in-state undergraduate students will be subject to the same 5 percent increase cap for up to four years.
With that 5 percent increase, continuing in-state students in the second year of their guarantee will pay $5,316 at the Tempe and Downtown Phoenix campuses and $5,093 at the Polytechnic and West campuses. Those entering the first year of their guarantee will pay $5,679 on all campuses.
New in-state undergraduate students will pay $5,997, while in-state graduate students will be at $7,128. Out-of-state undergraduate and graduate student tuition also will increase by 5 percent to $18,582 and $20,322, respectively.
President John Haeger said 40 percent of NAU students will be exempt from his proposal to increase tuition and fees by 6.5 percent for resident students. Those not impacted by the increase are part of NAU’s Pledge program, which guarantees the same tuition for four years for new freshmen and transfer students.
Tuition and fees would be $5,648 in 2009-10 for Pledge participants on the Flagstaff campus. He also recommended setting the four-year Pledge tuition for new 2009-10 resident students at $6,153. The only increases they would see would be in required fees.
Haeger also recommends a 6.5 percent increase for resident graduate students on the Flagstaff campus. Their combined tuition and fees would be $6,067.
Because non-resident undergraduate and graduate students at the Flagstaff campus already pay more than residents, Haeger said he plans to increase their costs by only $400. As a result, non-resident undergraduates would pay $16,057 in tuition and fees and non-resident graduate students would pay $16,482.
The University of Arizona in Tucson, which welcomed the largest freshman class in its history, proposes a $659 increase in resident undergraduate tuition at its main campus. At its UA South campus, the proposed increase is $450.
Non-resident undergraduate tuition at both its main campus and UA South campus would see a $2,575 increase. Resident graduate students at both campuses would see a $659 hike, while non-resident graduates at both campuses would get a $2,575 boost.
In addition to these increases, special colleges are planning their own hikes. For example, The Eller College of Management seeks a $4,000 increase to the fee for its Executive MBA Program. If approved, the program would have a full cost of $54,000.
UA President Robert Shelton recommends setting aside 15 percent of tuition revenue for financial aid. UA is offering a financial aid package called Arizona Assurance, which offers four years of debt-free education to any Arizona resident whose family income is $42,400 or less.
ASU officials said students and parents should not be deterred by tuition increases. This year, ASU will award more than $100 million in scholarships and grants. In addition, Arizona residents whose family income is $25,000 or less can qualify for the school’s Advantage program.
The Arizona Regents will conduct hearings to give the public a chance to have a say on the tuition increases on Nov. 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the state. In the Phoenix area, those hearings will be at ASU’s Carson Ballroom in Tempe; University Center, LaSala C at its West campus; room 147 of the Academic Center at its Polytechnic campus; and in room 107 of the University Center at its Downtown campus.
