Copyright© 1999 by School Services of California, Inc.

October 15, 1999

Student Fees Rise Nationally - California Reduces Student Fees
At Its Higher Education Institutions

The cost of attending a college or university rose slightly across the nation in 1999; however, all three of California's public higher education systems lowered fees for state residents this year, carrying on a trend that began in 1996.

The annual report from the College Board indicated that college tuition and fees rose an average of 4.6 percent this year - the smallest increase in four years. According to the College Board report:

• The average tuition at a four-year private college in 1999-2000 is $15,380, a 4.6 percent increase over last year.
  
• In-state tuition at public four-year schools averages $3,356, a 3.4 percent increase, while out-of-state tuition is $8,706, a rise of 3 percent.

Experts attribute the smaller-than-usual increase to the booming economy, brimming state coffers, a vigorous stock market that has swelled colleges' endowments and efforts by schools to rein in costs.

Of the nation's 15 million college students, about 40 percent attend four-year state schools and 40 percent go to two-year community colleges. The remaining 20 percent attend two-and four-year private colleges.

At the 106 community colleges in California, students now pay $11 per unit, down $1 from last year. The California State University system lowered its mandatory fees by 10 percent, from $1,506 to $1,428 per semester. And the University of California lowered systemwide fees for undergraduates by 5 percent to $3,429 for the year.

Financial aid has also increased substantially. More than $64 billion was available last year, making college accessible for many more students. Students are also improving their repayment record for those loans, according to the U.S. Department of Education. But Pell Grants have come under attack this year, as Congress has threatened to cut the grants by about 15 percent to abide by budget caps. If Congress cuts the grants, you can expect actual tuition and fee costs to rise faster.

College Board President Gaston Caperton pointed out that a degree from a four-year or two-year college typically doubles the lifetime earnings of a high school graduate. "I don't know anywhere in the world where you can make an investment and make that kind of return," the former governor of West Virginia said. Caperton stressed that Americans need college degrees for the better paying, high-skill jobs offered in technology and the global economy. "Education is expensive," he said, "but it's not nearly as expensive as not getting an education."

-- Arnold Bray