Pennsylvania's state universities to raise tuition 3 percent

Pennsylvania's 14 state universities, including West Chester and Cheyney, will raise tuition 3 percent, or $194, for 2013-14 under a measure approved by the board of governors Tuesday.

In-state undergraduate students who attend full time will pay $6,622 annually next academic year. Nearly 90 percent of the system's students are Pennsylvanians.

The technology fee will rise $10, or 2.8 percent, for in-state students, to $368 annually.

Even with the revenue from the tuition increase, the state system will have to cut $50 million from its $1.6 billion budget this year, prompting concern from faculty union leadership.

"While it is important to keep tuition as low as possible, we also have made a commitment to our students to continue to provide the high-quality education that they expect and deserve from our institutions," Steve Hicks, president of the Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, said in a statement. "We must ensure that the state-owned universities have the resources necessary to support student instruction."

The tuition increases will generate $27 million, said state system spokesman Kenn Marshall. The additional $50 million needed will be "spread across the system," he said. "The universities will have to look at their budgets and we'll have to make some adjustments to our budget to bring it into balance."

The state system schools have about 115,000 students. Besides West Chester and Cheyney, the universities are Bloomsburg, California, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, and Slippery Rock.

Room and board increases vary at the 14 schools. Each school sets its own.

University costs are rising in several areas, including salaries, health care, pension contributions, and utilities.

State funding has not increased. The system will receive $412.8 million, the same as in 2012-13. That will cover about a quarter of operating costs.

The board also increased tuition for graduate students about 3 percent. In-state students will pay $442 per credit, up $13 from last year.

Around the region, cost increases for undergraduates have varied. Temple University recently raised tuition and fees 3.6 percent, with in-state students to pay $14,096 annually. On average, room rates will increase 3.1 percent and meal costs 2.6 percent. Students will pay about $9,440 in room and board for a standard plan.

Rowan University froze tuition and fees, and increased room and board 2 percent. In-state students will pay $23,300 in tuition, fees, and room and board.

Pennsylvania State University and Rutgers University are scheduled to set costs at meetings this week.