Students attending some West Virginia schools can soon expect to pay more in tuition.
The state's Higher Education Policy Commission on Monday approved a nearly 10 percent in-state tuition hike at WVU, and smaller, but significant hikes at West Virginia State and Potomac State, effective next school year, the Daily Mail's Megan Kennedy reported.
While the money from increased tuition will go to help students, continuing to expect students to pay more each semester is not the right way to go. WVU President Gordon Gee calls the increase "modest," but for some West Virginia families, 10 percent is anything but.
Students and parents expect a lot from colleges, including a quality education, top-notch services and a safe, homey environment. That means schools must hire top-rated professors, expand student offerings and provide modern dorms, dining halls and recreation facilities. None of that comes cheap.
Meanwhile, the state has cut funding to universities in consecutive years, meaning they've had to make do with less.
The state's schools continue to do great things. New buildings housing state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities dot campuses across the state and improved athletic facilities draw student-athletes from across the nation and globe. Those things require money.
Although some initiatives are funded by benefactors or grants, much funding comes from the pockets of students through increased tuition and fees, adding to the amount students owe after they graduate.
With college debt in America estimated to be around $1 trillion and growing, it's time for education officials to think outside the box. Take Salem International University, which has established a program aimed at helping students complete a degree with little or no debt. Salem has not increased tuition in three years and has been approved to reduce tuition for some programs.
West Virginia's schools remain among the most affordable in the nation. Despite that, many students can't afford the rising costs and end up dropping out before they earn their degrees, but still have to repay student loans.
School administrators should work toward efficiency and streamlining finances in an effort to maintain student affordability. More jobs than not require some sort of post-high school education. Our economy will suffer if students can't afford to pay for it.