4/19/2018 - Jackson, Miss.

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning approved for first reading tuition increases for the state's eight public universities at its meeting held today in Jackson. The proposed increases average $309 per year. The matter will be brought back to the Board for second reading, and possible final approval, at the Board Meeting in May.

"Students come to Mississippi Public Universities with expectations of receiving a quality education that will prepare them well for the future," said Dr. Glenn Boyce, Commissioner of Higher Education. "It is incumbent upon us to ensure that the appropriate measures are taken to meet those expectations. Universities must have the resources necessary to provide quality programs, faculty, services and facilities."

FY 2019 Resident Tuition

Mississippi students will still pay less than their fellow students in neighboring states. With the rates approved today, the average in-state tuition and fees at Mississippi Public Universities for FY 2019 is $7,626, compared to the FY2017 average in-state tuition and fees at public universities in neighboring states:

• Alabama: $9,201
• Arkansas: $7,596
• Louisiana: $8,102
• Tennessee: $8,806

"Investing in higher education is still the best investment a student can make in his or her future," said Dr. Boyce. "Tuition is an investment that has the potential of increasing earning potential every year for the rest of their lives. A college degree opens windows of opportunity that otherwise would be closed forever."

Tuition represents one facet of the universities' budgets, comprising 67 percent of the overall budget. State appropriations make up 24 percent of the overall budget. Over time, the reduction in state appropriations has been significant.

"We greatly appreciate our legislature and state leaders for providing a small increase in our appropriations," said Boyce. "The proposed tuition increases will be used to help fill the gap left by reductions sustained by the universities over the past several years as state revenue has lagged. Universities are exploring all avenues for reducing costs, while maintaining the quality of education students receive."

Universities have reduced spending. Cost-saving measures include outsourcing some services, merging academic departments and schools, reducing travel, implementing energy efficiency measures, not filling unfilled positions and analyzing facility usage.

While reducing expenses, universities serve more students than ever before, enrolling more than 95,000 students during an academic year and offering 891 degree programs. In addition to having our highest enrollment in history, Mississippi Public Universities are graduating more students than ever before, with 17,760 degrees awarded in 2017. Over the past five years, there has been an 8.9 percent increase in the number of degrees awarded and a 37.9 percent increase in the number of STEM graduates. In 2017, there were 2,849 healthcare graduates, including nurses."

"Students must continue to receive a quality education that will prepare them to compete successfully in a global economy," said Boyce. "Universities must have the resources necessary to provide the quality education our students expect and deserve."

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The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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