Del Mar College to raise tuition by $2 per credit hour next year
In a 4-3 vote after extended discussion, the Del Mar College board of regents on Tuesday approved a tuition rate increase of $2 per semester credit hour for the 2023-24 school year.
This raises the tuition rate to $73 per credit. For a part-time student taking eight credit hours during the fall and spring semesters, this would amount to a total cost of $1,914, an increase of $32.
Regents expressed concern during discussion of the change over the need to balance a quality education, increasing staff compensation in the face of inflation and meeting deferred maintenance needs with keeping education affordable for students. A presentation on the proposed tuition increase and ensuing discussion among regents lasted for about an hour.
The $2 tuition increase will amount to an expected $270,000 in additional revenue.
"Anytime we're increasing our tuition, we're increasing the impediments to some of our students to completing an education," regent Bill Kelly said.
College staff noted that an expected increase in federal financial aid would cover the tuition bump for Pell Grant-eligible students. Students can also receive other forms of financial aid, including state grants and aid from the institution.
Seventy percent of Del Mar College students receive financial aid, college Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Raul Garcia said.
Regent Laurie Turner expressed concerns about the impact of increased tuition on the 30% without financial aid.
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lenora Keas said 99% of students who graduate from Del Mar College leave with either no student loan debt or an amount of debt that is manageable based on their potential earnings.
A final budget detailing exactly how the additional funds will be used won't be available for months, after the college knows how much revenue it can expect from local property taxes and state funding. But the board needed to decide whether to increase tuition now so that students who plan to enroll in classes next year know how much it will cost.
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"(Students) are paying for a quality education," regent David Loeb said. "It's important we make sure we preserve the quality."
Staff shared with the board information about faculty compensation, as well as past-due maintenance needs amounting to $150 million.
The board was presented with a potential $1, $2 or $3 tuition increase. Loeb expressed support for a $3 change, while Kelly said he'd prefer a $1 increase.
At the end of the presentation, regent Carl Crull made a motion for a $2 increase. Four board members — Crull, Kelly, Turner and regent Rudy Garza Jr. — voted in favor. Loeb, board Chair Carol Scott and regent Nicholas Adame voted against the motion.
Regent Libby Averyt was not in attendance. Regent Anantha Babbili, who was only chosen for and sworn into the position at the beginning of the meeting, abstained as he had not yet completed training on financial matters.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Del Mar College to raise tuition by $2 per credit hour next year
