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SALT LAKE CITY — College students will see a bigger chunk of their paychecks going to tuition and fees next year after the Utah State Board of Regents approved rate increases for each of Utah's public colleges and universities Friday.
Tuition hikes will range from an extra $108 at Snow College to $278 per year at the University of Utah for students taking a course load of 15 credits hours.
Overall, it's a 3.5 percent tuition increase at most institutions, with 3.9 percent and 5 percent increases approved for the U. and Dixie State University, respectively.
But higher education officials say it's the lowest tuition increase since 1999 — apart from last year's increase of 3 percent — and Utah still ranks as having the third-lowest tuition rates for four-year public universities in the nation.
"We would, of course, love that (the increase) would be zero, but that isn't the world we live in," David Buhler, commissioner of the Utah System of Higher Education, said at the board's meeting in St. George on Friday. "There are some things that need to be funded that are critically important to the institution and to provide quality and value to our students."
About 40 percent of the new revenues from tuition will go toward competitive compensation increases for faculty and staff at Utah's eight public colleges and universities. Utah lawmakers set aside $23.8 million for the same purpose to help institutions compete for and retain quality faculty.
Annual tuition rates for most full-time undergraduate students will range next year from $3,196 at Snow College to $7,408 at the U.
"I think that it fits with the board's priority of trying to keep tuition very affordable," Buhler said.
Steve Warren, a sophomore cello performance major, said he feels what he pays in tuition at Utah Valley University is "a really good price" compared to other universities across the country.
"I think that small incremental increases aren't really a big deal," Warren said. "College is expensive, but there are colleges that are far more expensive than UVU. For other locations, it might be a different situation. For UVU, I think it's manageable."
The Board of Regents also approved fee increases, ranging from $5 more at Utah State University to $43 at the U. Students at Snow College will see no change in their annual fee rates, and UVU will lower its fee schedule for the second year in a row, saving students $18 next year.
Next year, annual student fee amounts in Utah will be lowest at Snow College at $396, and highest at the U., at $1,110. Those fees can be used to pay for certain academic and athletic costs, buildings, technology, student health services, transportation and other needs.
Warren said he understands the necessity of having students help pay for such amenities, but there are some facilities that seem "superfluous" when it comes to college expenses. Flat-screen TVs and Xbox gaming systems in a student lounge, for example, might make good marketing tools, but are ultimately "unnecessary" when it comes to student success, he said.
"In reality, (students are) going to school to get a degree, to learn, to go to class and do homework, not to go horse around with whatever extra things the colleges provide," he said. "I think colleges could definitely cut back a bit on those things and focus more on helping students just get through school and be successful."
