Tuition fees at public universities in the United States increased by 8.3%

Tuition fees at public universities in the United States increased by 8.3%. Tuition fees at public universities and colleges across the United States set a new record last year. The latest report says that in the 2011-2012 school year, tuition per student...

>Public college and university tuition across the United States hit record highs last year. The latest report says that the average tuition per student in the 2011-2012 school year was $5,189, an increase of 8.3%.

According to CNNMoney, a report issued by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association stated that the average tuition per student in the previous academic year was $4,793.

At the same time, state and local government spending on operating expenses, research and student aid to colleges and universities averaged $5,896 last year, a 9% decrease and the lowest level in 25 years.

Paul Lingenfelter, president of the association, said state funding has not kept pace with enrollment growth.

Public college enrollment has grown explosively in the past decade, with an increase of more than 30%. Today public colleges and universities account for more than 70% of the student population in all higher education institutions.

As state funding declines, colleges and universities are turning to tuition and other fees to make up for the shortfall. Some states have experienced steep tuition increases. For example, due to deep budget cuts in California, average tuition at state universities and colleges increased by nearly 50% last year.

Lingenfeldt said the economic situation is slowly improving, with 31 states increasing funding for this school year. 'We want to see a recovery,' he said. But no one can underestimate the depth of the hole we have fallen into.

The association's report includes tuition figures for all state colleges and universities, from community colleges to public law schools. But those figures don’t include student expenses such as room and board.