Missouri State considers tuition hike

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri State University's board of governors will consider a 3.5 percent increase in student tuition at a meeting Friday.

The proposed hike for the 2007-2008 year starting this fall would raise the cost of an undergraduate credit hour to $179 from $173, a total increase of $72 for a student taking 12 hours a semester.

"We kept the increase as low as possible to an inflationary increase and that's all," said Missouri State President Mike Nietzel. "This increase is less than the national average and we're pleased to be able to keep it low."

The board may also increase student fees for such things as computer labs.

Under the proposal, non-Missouri residents would pay $349 a credit hour, up from $337.

Missouri resident graduate students would pay $206 per graduate credit hour, up from $199, and non-Missouri residents would pay $402, up from $388.

The increase is expected to keep Missouri State in nearly the same position relative to the per-hour cost of other Missouri state institutions, a release from the university said. Missouri State is fifth among the 10 four-year state universities, including the University of Missouri four-campus system.

The board will meet in West Plains.

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On the Net:

http://www.missouristate.edu

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Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com