Regents pass tuition increases for state universities

Tuition is going up for students at state universities in Kansas, but the increases are smaller than in the past.

Regents approved tuition increases Thursday ranging from 2.5 percent to 2.9 percent for the 2017-18 school year at the six regents universities.

The increases largely matched what the universities proposed to regents during a meeting Wednesday. Kansas State University dropped its proposed 3 percent increase to 2.9 percent after regents voiced concerns about costs.

WSU students will pay 2.5 percent more in tuition per semester under the university’s tuition proposal, which passed on a 6-3 vote.

That will cost $79.80 more for in-state, full-time undergraduate students and $86.16 for in-state, full-time graduate students.

Elsewhere, University of Kansas students will see a 2.5 percent increase for standard tuition. K-State students will pay 2.9 percent more.

Emporia State, Pittsburg State and Fort Hays State students will see increases of 2.7 percent, 2.8 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively.

“Each university outlined how any additional revenue would be spent…increasing staff and faculty salaries, addressing fringe benefit rate changes and expected utility cost increases, improving student retention initiatives, technology access and investments in scholarship programs,” according to a news release from the board after the vote.

Last year, the hikes ranged from 4.9 percent to 6 percent after cuts to higher education in state government.

This story was originally published June 15, 2017 at 11:10 AM with the headline "Regents pass tuition increases for state universities."