Florida College Tuition: Going Up, But Still a Relative Bargain

November 9, 2011 | 1:50 PM

By SCOTT FINN

As college students “Occupy USF” this afternoon, one of their biggest complaints is the rising cost of tuition. Yes, it’s up…but it’s still cheaper to go to college in Florida than just about anywhere else.

Our friends at The Florida Current have come up with a cool graphic showing the tuition trends, which they’re allowing us to republish here on StateImpact Florida.

Florida Current says Florida’s tuition rates are rising faster than the national average, but are still relatively cheap.

If you’re an in-state student at a public university in Florida, you’re paying the seventh-lowest tuition, on average, in the country.

That’s $5,626, compared with the U.S. average of $8,244, according to Florida Current.

Tuition in Florida is growing a little faster in Florida than the national average — up 12 percent instead of 8 percent. Still, it would take a lot for Florida schools to catch up to the national average, or even most other southern states.

Some Florida college officials are asking for higher tuition to attract and keep faculty and make up for state budget cuts.

Florida’s Board of Governors are scheduled to discuss ways to raise tuition for some online courses and continuing education during their meetings today and tomorrow.

Comments

Anonymous

University of California hijack’s our kids’ futures: student loan debt. I love University of California (UC) having been student & lecturer. But today I am concerned that at times I do not recognize the UC I love. Like so many I am deeply disappointed by the pervasive failures of Regent Chairwoman Lansing, President Yudof, Chancellor Birgeneau from holding the line on rising costs & tuition increases. Paying more is not a better education.
Californians are reeling from 19% unemployment (includes: those forced to work part time; those no longer searching), mortgage defaults, loss of unemployment benefits. And those who still have jobs are working longer for less. Faculty wages must reflect California’s ability to pay, not what others are paid.
Current pay increases for generously paid University of California Faculty is arrogance. Instate tuition consumes 14% of Ca. Median Family Income!
Paying more is not a better education. UC Berkeley(# 70 Forbes) tuition increases exceed the national average rate of increases. Chancellor Birgeneau has molded Cal. into the most expensive public university.
UC President Yudof, Cal. Chancellor Birgeneau($450,000 salary) dismissed many much needed cost-cutting options. They did not consider freezing vacant faculty positions, increasing class size, requiring faculty to teach more classes, doubling the time between sabbaticals, cutting & freezing pay & benefits for chancellors & reforming pensions & the health benefits.
They said such faculty reforms “would not be healthy for UC”. Exodus of faculty, administrators? Who can afford them and where would they go?
We agree it is far from the ideal situation, but it is in the best interests of the university system & the state to stop cost increases. UC cannot expect to do business as usual: raising tuition; granting pay raises & huge bonuses during a weak economy that has sapped state revenues & individual Californians’ income.
There is no question the necessary realignments with economic reality are painful. Regent Chairwoman Lansing can bridge the public trust gap with reassurances that salaries & costs reflect California’s ability to pay. The sky above UC will not fall when Chancellor Birgeneau is ousted.

Opinions? Email the UC Board of Regents marsha.kelman@ucop.edu

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