Ohio State University Wants to Increase Tuition by 3.3 Percent This Fall

Ohio State University is hoping to raise tuition prices by 3.3 percent in the fall, continuing a trend of price increases by the state's public universities which are dealing with reduced state funding and other economic factors.

OSU will put a proposal before Ohio State trustees on Friday that would increase tuition for in-state undergraduates at the school's main campus in Columbus. The increase would work out to be $315 per student, bringing the total tuition for the year to $9,309. Undergraduates at regional campuses would also face an increase, bringing their tuition to $6,903 per year.

Earlier this year, Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee said that a price increase would be likely due to state budget cuts. The cuts are expected to cost OSU $60 million in operating funds under the new state budget. Gee again defended the planned tuition increase on Tuesday:

"We remain one of the most economically viable institutions in the country and one of the best economic bargains in the country."

Ohio State senior vice president for business and finance, Geoffrey Chatas, said that Ohio State would still likely have the second-lowest cost amongst Ohio's six public universities with selective admissions as the others are asking or plan to ask students to pay more.

Ohio University and Miami University trustees are meeting Firday to vote on increasing tuition by 3.5 percent at their schools, which is the maximum allowed under the state budget plan. The University of Cincinnati's budget for next year also calls for a 3.5 percent tuition increase.