Possible tuition hikes for RI public colleges

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Tuition at several public colleges and universities in Rhode Island could be going up.

Students are not pleased by the move, but school officials say the increases are necessary.

Those in favor of the tuition hike say even with the increase, that in-state tuition in Rhode Island will still be well below average.

The Board of Election is voting Wednesday for the new plan.

Under the proposed budget for the fiscal year of 2018, the cost of full-time in state students at the University of Rhode Island would increase by $900. At Rhode Island College, tuition would go up $575, and at Community College of Rhode Island, students would be paying approximately $300 more.

Officials say the increases are needed to fund employee salary and healthcare obligations, but according to the commissioner, Jim Purcell, even with an increase, Rhode Island colleges and universities are still more affordable than many others across New England.

“All higher education is a bargain for the state and for the students, we have low tuition and we are actually underfunded from the state compared to their peers, we trying to do the best with what we have.”

Out of state students would pay twice as much under the new plan.

If the budget gets the green light, then it will head to the governor’s desk for final approval.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016