Declining State Support Leads to Another Tech Tuition Increase

The Virginia General Assembly's declining financial support of higher education in the Commonwealth has led to yet another tuition increase at Virginia Tech, where students will face a nearly 10 percent hike next year. This will be slightly offset by the Obama Administration's tax credits.

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors Executive Committee has set total tuition and mandatory fees for a undergraduate students at $9,589, an increase of $854, partially offset by a $130 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act grant.

President Charles W. Steger says, “State support for higher education has slipped significantly in recent times. Virginia Tech receives $37 million less today for instruction than 10 years ago. During that time, undergraduate enrollment of Virginia students increased by more than 2,000, resulting in significantly less support per student from the commonwealth. Indeed, once adjusted for inflation, state support per Virginia student is about half today than at the beginning of the decade.

“Accordingly, students carry a larger percentage of the overall cost of education than in prior years. This cost shift to students and families is unfortunate but unavoidable. After decades of cuts, simple belt-tightening is not an option. In order to continue to provide the quality expected from Virginia Tech, tuition must rise.”

Non-Virginia undergrad students not living on campus will pay $23,217, a $1,339 increase. Total average annual costs for a Virginia undergraduate student living on campus will rise from $14,559 to $15,879. Out-of-state undergrad students will see this figure rise from $27,702 to $29,507. (There are several rates for room and board; individual costs will vary. The university uses an average to calculate suggested room and board for this demonstration.)

Graduate tuition and fees for Virginia residents will increase from $10,228 to 10,933 and move from $17,928 to 19,957 for out-of-state students. Tuition and fees for Maryland and Virginia residents attending the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine will be $19,675, up from $18,415. Non-resident veterinary students will pay $42,704 annually.