Colorado public college and university students saw the largest percentage tuition increase of schools in all 50 states, a survey released today shows.
The College Board survey showed four-year public schools in Colorado had a 17 percent increase with Kentucky coming in second with 14 percent. Puerto Rico, which was also included in the survey though it is not a state, had an 18 percent increase.
While Colorado has the largest percentage increase, state students paid about $1,200 less than the national average.
College Board spokeswoman Kathie Little said the survey did not determine why rates increased but said the average is weighed by enrollment so a large jump in a school with high enrollment would increase the average.
The University of Colorado increased tuition 28 percent between 2004-05 and 2005-06 for most in-state undergraduate students.
Nationwide, price increases at colleges and universities moderated somewhat this year, but students who need financial aid are still relying increasingly on loans to pay for higher education, according to the the College Board.
The average cost of tuition and fees at a four-year college hit $5,491 this year, up 7.1 percent from 2004-2005, according to the annual survey by the nonprofit group. That was the smallest percentage increase since 2001-2002.
Prices at two-year public colleges rose 5.4 percent to $2,191, while at private schools they rose 5.9 percent to $21,235.
The increases are below levels seen in recent years; last year, prices at public four-year schools rose about 10 percent, and 13 percent the year before that. But the cost hikes are still well above the general inflation rate.
And while many students don’t pay the full “list price,” other figures released today indicate student aid is not keeping up with need.
Student aid from the government and other sources did increase $10 billion to $129 billion in 2004-05, the last year for which aid figures are available. But for the third straight year, more of the increase came in the form of loans than from grants, which students do not have to pay back.
That isn’t necessarily a big problem for many families. Interest rates are low, and the increased earning power of a college degree is generally worth the average debt for undergraduate borrowers – $15,500 at public universities for a bachelor’s degree. But it is likely to compound concerns that families on the margins of being able to afford college are being priced out.
Including charges for room and board as well as tuition and fees, costs at public four-year schools rose 6.6 percent to an average of $11,376. At private four-year nonprofit schools, they rose 5.7 percent to $27,465.
However, only 12 percent of students are enrolled in colleges where tuition and fees exceed $24,000.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
