CMU continues to have lowest tuition increase among public universities
In April, the Central Michigan University Board of Trustees approved a 1.96 percent tuition increase, a number that continues to be the lowest increase among public universities.
The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor just set its tuition increase at 2.8 percent, while Michigan Technological University had a 3.9 percent increase and Michigan State University raised its rates by 3.5 percent.
In April, University President George Ross said tuition increases remained low because of sacrifices made by university faculty and staff members.
“Our tuition rates over the last three years have been very modest. Our faculty and staff have made compromises like taking a year and a half, even two-year pay freezes,” he said. “That is why we can be so modest (with this increase).”
During debates regarding tuition amongst Board of Trustees members at U of M-Ann Arbor as well as MSU, some board members argued against tuition increases.
According to The Detroit News, regents Denise Ilitch, Laurence Deitch and Andrea Fischer Newman argued against the tuition increase at U of M, saying students were already paying too much.
"Tuition continues to skyrocket," Ilitch said before the vote. "The burden on our students continues to be brutal. ... This is unacceptable. The constant disinvestment in education in this state is inexcusable and appalling. We must invest in education on all fronts."
According to another Detroit News article, Trustee Diann Woodard, president of the Detroit Public Schools administrators and supervisors union, voted against the 3.5 percent tuition increase at MSU, saying “I just, in my heart of hearts, can't vote for another (tuition) increase.”
CMU remains the fourth most expensive among public universities in Michigan in terms of tuition rates, behind Michigan Technological University, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Michigan State University.
The 1.96-percent increase translates to $365 per undergraduate credit hour. Out-of-state students will pay $789 per credit hour.
“We’ve looked forward beyond just the immediate year,” said David Burdette, vice president of Finances and Administrative Services, during the Board of Trustees meeting in April. “These numbers reflect that.”
Last year, CMU also had the lowest increase among the 15 Michigan public universities, when tuition was increased for the 2011-12 academic year by 3.47 percent, or $12 per credit hour.
Tuition for the 2012-13 school year at Wayne State University is expected to be determined today.
2012-13 tuition increases CMU: 1.96 percent SVSU: 3.9 percent EMU: 3.95 percent MTU: 3.9 percent U-M Ann Arbor: 2.8 percent U-M Dearborn: 3.7 percent U-M Flint: 3.6 percent MSU: 3.5 percent WSU: To be decided Wednesday
