JACKSON — Delta State University wasn’t going to raise tuition next fall, but President Bill LaForge said state budget cuts changed the university’s mind.
College Board trustees gave preliminary approval Nov. 17 to the 3,600-student university’s plan to raise the price for two full-time semesters of tuition and fees from $6,418 to $6,733. Trustees are scheduled to vote on final approval later.
Delta State charges Mississippi residents and out-of-state students the same price for tuition.
LaForge says Delta State had originally planned a 5 percent increase for fall 2018, but says officials decided to move it ahead to fall 2017 to avoid a possible revenue shortfall.
“Particularly with the budget cuts we’ve had from year-to-year and the midyear budget cuts we have to make sure we have the revenue we need to run the university,” LaForge said.
Lawmakers cut state appropriations to universities 3 percent when the budget started Jan. 1. Gov. Phil Bryant cut universities and most other state agencies another 1.6 percent in September because of an accounting error.
He says the tuition increase is projected to bring in an additional $850,000 overall. Delta State’s tuition would be the fourth-lowest among the eight universities.
“Still, we are really competitive. We consider our institution to be a bargain and a value,” LaForge said.
Mississippi’s other seven public universities had already announced planned increases for fall 2017 last year. The average price of tuition statewide will go up 3.8 percent to $7,294. Many students don’t pay the sticker price, thanks to federal, state and college-based aid. In 2012-2013, Mississippi university students typically got $6,500 worth of aid, Southern Regional Education Board figures show. That covered about one-third of the total cost of attendance, which includes tuition, room and board, books and transportation.
A look at tuition, fees at state’s public universities
JACKSON — Tuition and fees would rise at Mississippi’s eight public universities in fall 2017 under changes approved by the College Board. Most universities had already locked their plans in place, but Delta State must receive additional approval later. Here’s a look at tuition and fees for two semesters (fall and spring), as well as the percentage change from the current academic year:
■ Alcorn State University: $6,710, up 2.5 percent.
■ Delta State University: $6,733, up 4.9 percent (includes a $60-a-semester facilities fee).
■ Jackson State University: $7,547, up 3.9 percent (includes a $50-a-semester facilities fee and $10-a-semester activities fee).
■ Mississippi State University: $8,070, up 3.7 percent (includes a $50-a-semester facilities charge and a $5-a-semester activities fee).
■ Mississippi University for Women: $6,363, up 4.9 percent (includes a $50-a-semester facilities fee).
■ Mississippi Valley State University: $6,248, up 2.2 percent (includes a $10-a-semester activities fee).
■ University of Mississippi: $8,060, up 3.9 percent (includes a $50-a-semester facilities fee and a $5-a-semester activities fee).
■ University of Mississippi Medical Center: $7,950, up 4 percent.
■ University of Southern Mississippi: $7,963, up 3.8 percent. (includes a $35-a-semester facilities fee and a $20-a-semester activities fee).
Source: Mississippi College Board
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