Wichita State increasing tuition 2% as KU, K-State keep it flat amid COVID-19 pandemic

Wichita State University students will pay more in tuition next school year, but there will likely be fewer of them and a drop in the net tuition revenue.

The Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday approved tuition rates for the six state universities for the 2020-21 academic year. There will be a 2% tuition increase at Wichita State, or $4.47 extra per credit hour for an in-state student.

In addition to WSU, tuition is increasing at Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University and Pittsburg State University. Tuition was held flat at Kansas State University and the University of Kansas.

“Even with the increase, Wichita State still remains the most affordable research university in the state and one of the most affordable research institutions in the country,” WSU officials said in a news release.

For a student taking 15 credit hours, the additional cost for one semester will be $67.05 for an in-state undergraduate student and $158.85 for an out-of-state student. The in-state cost for one semester will be slightly more than $4,200, including fees, according to documents presented to the Regents.

“This small increase will allow Wichita State to maintain its high level of excellence and keep its commitment to providing students with an outstanding education and experience as Shockers,” the university news release said. “The COVID-19 crisis has had a significant financial impact on WSU. University officials have implemented several cost-cutting measures and continue to look at other ways to lower operating costs.”

Officials said the university will save about $2.6 million by cutting all general use budget divisions by 2%, about $2.5 million by restricting spending on travel and non-essential purchases and about $100,000 with cuts to administrative and athletic coach salaries combined with voluntary dean furloughs. They have also implemented a temporary hiring freeze.

“Our institutions are facing incredibly difficult choices as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said KBOR Chair Shane Bangerter in a statement. “In the face of revenue losses, increased costs and continued uncertainty, universities made great efforts to ensure that students do not bear the cost. As a result, we were able hold tuition flat or keep increases as low as possible.”

Even with the tuition increase at WSU, the school expects a decrease in net tuition revenue.

The tuition proposal presented to the Regents states that WSU expects the increase will generate about $1.65 million in revenue. However, a 3% drop in the number of credit hours is expected due to the coronavirus pandemic. The net tuition revenue is projected to drop by $5.1 million.

The $1.65 million from the tuition increase will be combined with about $1.6 million more in state general fund appropriations, according to the Regents document. About $1.5 million of that will help offset the decline in credit hours, about $1 million will go to student scholarships, about $488,000 will got to fringe benefits and about $279,000 will be used on faculty promotions.

The university projects 466 fewer students when classes start in the fall and a drop of 10,096 credit hours for the academic year. The student head count and credit hour projections would still be higher than enrollment was in the 2017-18 school year.

The 2% tuition increase will be the smallest of at least the past five years — other than fiscal year 2020, when tuition was held flat at all state universities.