The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved tuition and fee increases for 23 of 25 Oklahoma's colleges and universities. School presidents presented their proposed increases before the regents Wednesday.
The average percentage increase for undergraduate resident tuition and mandatory fees is 5.8 percent, according to data provided by the Regents.
The largest percentage increase is 8.3 percent, requested by the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. USAO President John Feaver said the increase is to cover mandatory cost increases for the university. The tuition will also go toward implementing a flat rate tuition program.
The two institutions opting out of increases are Oklahoma State University and Western Oklahoma State College.
OSU President Burns Hargis told the Regents Wednesday the university will move toward a block or flat rate tuition program, much like the program the University of Oklahoma implemented last year, in lieu of increasing tuition. The change and the lack of tuition rate increase, he said, is part of their "Finish in Four" initiative, which aims to get students to graduate in four years.
The University of Oklahoma was granted a 4.5 percent tuition and fee increase, ranking them the highest undergraduate, resident tuition program at $256.48 per credit hour. Meanwhile, Carl Albert State is requesting a 6.9 percent tuition increase but still remains the lowest undergraduate, resident tuition and fee program in the state at $100.10 per credit hour.
Despite the tuition hikes, Chancellor Glen Johnson said Oklahoma remains one of the most affordable states for degree completion in the nation and is still on track for increasing its goal of graduating more college students as part of the Complete College America Initiative.
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