University Tuition to Increase in Kansas

The Kansas University system will raise tuition for the next academic year. The Kansas Board of Regents approved a plan to raise more than $26 million through the tuition hikes. The additional revenue was needed to bridge a $24 million budget gap that was created by reduced funding from the state's general fund. Tuition across the entire system will increase. KU, which has the highest tuition in the state, will see a 5.6% increase for next year.

The largest percentage increase will be seen by Emporia State students. Their tuition will increase by 6.8%, but will remain the second lowest cost institution in the Kansas system. ESU's cost for a full time student including fess is around half of what is costs to attend KU in Lawrence.

Fort Hays State remains the leaset expensive University in the system. It costs a full time student a reasonable $2041 per semester to attend the school. FHSU also had the lowest percentage increase at only 3.8%.

These increases are just another sign of the economic times we live in. Budgets are being slashed at the state and hopefully soon, the Federal levels. As Lt Lockhart said in Full Metal Jacket "It's a huge shit sandwich, and we're all gonna have to take a bite."

KU, K-State Announce Tuition Increases

In-state tuition got more expensive for Kansas college students, as both the University of Kansas and Kansas State University announced increases in semester tuition fees, effective in the fall of 2011.

KU’s tuition increased to $4,012 per semester, $306 or 8.2 percent more than the previous amount. Kansas State’s tuition increased by $253, or 7.4 percent, to a semester fee of $3,688.

KU offers a program known as KU Compact, which allows students to pay one non-adjustable rate for all four of their years at the University. Tuition for this program increased $263 up to $4,366 per semester. The program allows students and families to pay more money now but avoid the possibility of higher tuition in the future, possibly a smart move as college tuition rates have been steadily increasing nationwide.

Despite both major public universities increasing tuition, Kansas residents still enjoy having colleges with some of the lowest tuition rates in the nation. KU is routinely listed on many pundits’ “Best Buy” lists, while Kansas State offers a lower tuition fee than KU.

Tuition increases have become normal for both public and private universities nationwide. With affordable options throughout the state, Kansas residents are presented with many options those in other states are not able to enjoy.