With Florida A & M’s tuition gradually catching up to the national average, some students are left baffled about the 15 percent increase.
According to the College Board, a non-profit organization that promotes excellence and equity in education, the national average of in-state tuition and fees at public four-year institutions was $7,605 in 2010-2011. Average out-of-state tuition is $11, 990.
“Trends in College Pricing,” a study conducted by College Board, revealed that tuition at Florida’s public universities and colleges is lower than the national average, with 47 states having higher tuition rates.
The 2009 legislature gave leverage to state universities to charge a differential fee so the tuition rate at Florida’s four-year degree-granting public post-secondary educational institutions are on par with the national average.
During the 2011 Legislative Session, public postsecondary institutions were ordered to raise tuition by 8 percent. On June 23, the Board of Governors imposed an additional 7 percent increase on tuition, at meeting at the University of South Florida.
The cost of tuition and fees for 30 undergraduate credit hours at FAMU for the academic year 2010-2011 was $4,625—for the current year it is $5,161, according to the University website.
FAMU has the second lowest tuition rate of the 11-member state university system, with the New College of Florida having the lowest.
The increase in tuition raises questions for some students.