Va. colleges increasingly affordable
By Ben Baynton, staff writer
Posted on November 13, 2006

Each year, students watch as the cost of tuition rises. However, Virginia colleges have actually become more affordable in the past 10 years.

According to the 2006-‘07 Tuition and Fees at Virginia State-Supported Colleges and Universities report, the average total cost for a Virginia student living on campus was more affordable than the national average from 2005 -‘06.

This was the first time Virginia tuition costs were lower than the national average.
“JMU’s [fiscal year] 2006-‘07 in-state tuition is ranked third lowest as compared to 14 other state institutions of higher education,” Diane L. Stamp, assistant vice president for the Office of Budget Management, said.

The report, issued by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, also showed that tuition at JMU will increase by 6.9 percent, or about $217. This is slightly lower than the $393 increase in tuition from 2005-’06 to the 2006-’07 school year, according to the University Business Office.
 
According to Measuring Up’s Web site, which gives grades to each state based on various higher education criteria, it requires 14 percent of the total income of the poorest 20 percent of Virginians to go to the cheapest colleges in Virginia. This is double the required percentage of total income of the best state ranked by Measuring Up.
 
“They don’t give enough financial aid and scholarships,” sophomore Mary Souza said.

Measuring Up gave Virginia an “F” for affordability of higher education. But, no state got above a “C-minus.”

The reason for the constant rise in cost of tuition and loss of affordability is the consistent increase in the number of students at Virginia higher education institutions. Universities are simply unable to support such large student populations without increases in tuition and other required fees.
 
The SCHEV report said the main increases would be in fees for non-education related university services. The average increase in these fees for all public institutions is 7.9 percent, but most of this money will go to salary increases for faculty and other employees of the universities.
 
State funding has simply been unable to increase enough to support the massive influx of students. According to the Appropriations Acts, JMU received $400,000 more for financial aid from the state in 2006-’07 than in 2002-’03.
 
“The state should help fund a little more if they expect people to go to universities,” freshman Meredith Schultz said.

However, some students think tuition rates have remained acceptable.

“It is reasonable tuition and small increases won’t kill people,” sophomore A.J. Macey said.