Georgia’s public universities and colleges are set to increase tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 academic year, according to officials. The decision comes as schools face rising costs and the need to maintain a high quality of education. The Board of Regents voted to raise tuition and fees at all 26 schools in the system. The average cost for in-state undergraduates will be $6,466 for two semesters, an increase of 2.4% from the previous year. While this may put financial pressure on students and their families, officials argue that the increases are necessary to cover rising costs in areas such as technology, food, utilities, and employee salaries.
University System Chief Fiscal Officer Tracey Cook explained that the increase in tuition is needed to maintain a consistent standard of quality education, improve graduation and retention rates, and keep pace with rising costs. The costs of renting dormitory rooms and buying meal plans will also rise system-wide. This decision may impact students like Valeria Navarro, a sophomore at Gordon State College, who is studying for a two-year nursing degree and pays for her education with her own earnings. Navarro expressed concerns about the added financial pressure that the tuition increase will bring, especially for students from low-income families or those who rely on part-time jobs to cover their expenses.
While Georgia’s typical tuition and fees are lower than those in most states in the region, more than 35% of students currently borrow money to pay for college, with some borrowing more than $5,500 a year on average. The recent decision to increase tuition for international students by 2% has also raised concerns, as they already pay significantly higher tuition rates compared to in-state students. The university system aims to generate more revenue from student fees to fund projects such as student centers, recreation facilities, and parking garages. However, declining revenues from student fees, along with increasing costs, have prompted the need for tuition hikes.
State funding for Georgia’s universities is set to increase by $200 million in the upcoming budget year, with a focus on employee salary increases and restoring teaching funds that were previously cut. This financial support is seen as critical in providing a quality education experience for students. The system also plans to increase fees for students taking online classes, as they do not benefit from certain services covered by student fees, such as student activities and athletics. Overall, the decision to raise tuition and fees has sparked discussions about the financial burden it may place on students and the importance of balancing the need for revenue with maintaining affordability and accessibility in higher education.
