05/16/12 ks

HAYS, Kan. -- If the Kansas Board of Regents accepts the proposals for tuition increases in the coming school year that it received during its monthly meeting today, the affordability gap will widen between Fort Hays State University and the other state universities.

Tuition for in-state undergraduate students at FHSU is now $1,578 a semester, based on 15 credit hours. That is the lowest tuition for any four-year college or university in Kansas, and one of the lowest in the nation. FHSU has proposed a 2.9 percent increase for the 2012-2013 school year, which begins in late August. If approved, that would bring tuition to $1,624.50, an increase of $46.50 per semester.

The Board of Regents will decide whether to approve the tuition proposals during its June meeting.

"Everything we do is about the success of our students," said Dr. Edward H. Hammond, FHSU president. "It does not help a student succeed if he or she graduates with a huge burden of debt."

The proposals from the six state universities show that FHSU's smallest percentage increase on what was already the lowest tuition produces an even larger gap in affordability:

· Fort Hays State University -- from $1,578, a 2.9-percent increase to $1,624.50, which in terms of dollars is an increase of $46.50.

· The University of Kansas -- from $4,182, a 5.1-percent increase to $4,395, which in terms of dollars is an increase of $213.

· Kansas State University -- from $3,468, a 5.5-percent increase to $3,658.50, which in terms of dollars is an increase of $190.50.

· Wichita State University -- from $2,502.75, a 4.0-percent increase to $2,602.50, which in terms of dollars is an increase of $99.75.

· Emporia State University -- from $1,932, a 6.2-percent increase to $2,051, which in terms of dollars is an increase of $119.

· Pittsburg State University -- from $2,066, a 6.1-percent increase to $2,193, which in terms of dollars is an increase of $127.

The same pattern is reflected when required fees are included with current and proposed tuition:

· Fort Hays State University -- from $2,041.05, a 3.7-percent increase to $2,116.50, which in terms of dollars is an increase of $75.45.

· The University of Kansas -- from $4,610.95, a 4.9-percent increase to $4,839, which in terms of dollars is an increase of $228.05.

· Kansas State University -- from $3,828.60, a 5.1-percent increase to $4,023.30, which in terms of dollars is an increase of $194.70.

· Wichita State University -- from $3,095, a 3.5-percent increase to $3,203.75, which in terms of dollars is an increase of $108.75.

· Emporia State University -- from $2,476, a 6.5-percent increase to $2,636, which in terms of dollars is an increase of $160.

· Pittsburg State University -- from $2,581, a 6.4-percent increase to $2,747, which in terms of dollars is an increase of $166.

Enrollment at FHSU has grown from 5,800 students at the turn of the century to more than 13,000 in the just-completed school year. The growth has resulted from the combination of low tuition and high quality. Faculty and students consistently earn national academic honors, and FHSU graduates find jobs or are accepted into programs of advanced study at a rate of 94 percent even during these difficult economic times.

"Our amazing growth, coupled with multiple efficiencies we have implemented into our operations, gives us the fortunate ability to hold our tuition increase to a minimum," President Hammond said.

The low cost at FHSU benefits all of Kansas. "When students graduate from college with a huge debt because of student loans, they are not able to buy houses and cars and participate in stimulating the economy," the president added. "By holding down tuition, we make it possible for FHSU graduates to participate in the economy more quickly and fully."