Last week’s announcement of a 15-percent tuition increase for all schools governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents has sparked mixed feelings among students at The University of Memphis.
The increase raises annual tuition to $2,856 for in-state students and $6,654 for out-of-state students. In-state tuition had been $2,484 while out-of-state tuition was $5,786. Additionally, undergraduate business students will pay an additional $10 per credit hour and graduate students will pay an additional $20 per credit hour. The additional fee was imposed in order for Fogelman College of Business and Economics to address shortcomings named in the reaccreditation process.
Many students said they feel it’s about time for a tuition increase.
“It is about time they raised tuition — it is way overdue,” said graduate student Scott Surbrook, who is studying production operation management. “Tuition should be comparable to other schools, but ours is much lower. Students should look at the value of the education they are getting for their money. State funding isn’t there, so the money has to come from somewhere. Even with a 15 percent increase, tuition is still a heck of a deal. I wouldn’t be surprised if tuition is raised another 15 percent in the next five years.”
Other students said they realize the Tennessee budget crisis lies at the heart of the issue.
“I understand that they did it because of the budget and stuff,” said business graduate student Andrew Kopta. “The tuition increase affects tuition for grad students by $500, but if it is needed, it is needed.”
“I think the tuition increase is fair,” said senior Chris Wilson, an electronics engineering technology major. “You gotta do what you gotta do. Compared to out-of-state tuition, it is still very low.”
However, others think that tuition was high enough without the increase.
“I think the tuition increase it unfair,” said senior MIS major Kameisha Black. “It is hard to pay for school when tuition is raised every year. I can understand why they did it, but that doesn’t justify it to me. I think there is another way to get money for accreditation instead of raising tuition.”
“I am just like a lot of other people — I don’t want tuition to increase,” said sophomore elementary education major Brittney Stewart.
