For the 17th consecutive year, there will be a tuition increase at Raritan Valley Community College.
BRANCHBURG - For the 17th consecutive year, there will be a tuition increase at Raritan Valley Community College.
The college's board of trustees voted Tuesday to raise tuition by $4 per credit. The new tuition of $147 per credit will take effect for the fall 2017 semester, according to a news release.
The increase is because of continuing declines in enrollment and no increase in aid from the state or Somerset and Hunterdon counties, it was stated in the release.
"We recognize the importance of keeping the cost of a college education within reach for our all of our students," college President Michael J. McDonough said. "When deciding on any tuition increase, we carefully balance the college's commitment to keeping tuition affordable with the need to invest in academic programs and support services that are critical to our students' success."
For the average full-time student taking 30 credits during the academic year, tuition would increase by $120, according to the release. For the average part-time student taking 12 credits during the academic year, tuition would increase by $48.
Tuition increased $7 per credit for the 2016-17 academic year to $144 per credit.
The tuition increase is based on a projected budget of $54.9 million for the 2018 fiscal year that is expected to be voted on at the March 21 trustees meeting, an increase of 3.3-percent over the $53.1 budget for the 2017 fiscal year.
According to the college, the increase is because of increases in contractual costs for employee healthcare and other benefits, a continued decline in the size of the area high school graduation classes, and additional operating expenses related to the new Workforce Training Center.
Tuition at the college has increased every year since the 2000-01 school year, with per credit increases of $15 in 2012, $8 in 2013 and 2015, $7 in 2016, $4 in 2008, 2014 and 2017, and $3 in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
According to the state Department of Higher Education, tuition for a full-time student taking 30 credits at RVCC has increased from $1,860 per academic year in 2000-01 to $4,410 for the 2017-2018 academic year, an increase of $2,550.