Kent State, University of Akron to raise tuition for incoming class of students

Kent State University and the University of Akron are raising tuition for incoming first-year, in-state students this year at the maximum amount allowed by state law.

Both universities are raising tuition costs by 3% for incoming freshmen, who will then be locked into that tuition rate for the duration of their education. Previously enrolled students will not be impacted by the increase.

Tuition is also going up at both schools for graduate students and non-residents. Akron is increasing its law school and graduate tuition 4.6%. Undergraduate, non-resident tuition at Akron is going up 10%. Tuition is increasing 4% for Kent graduate students and non-Ohio residents.

Public universities across the state had to wait for the governor to sign the biennial budget this month to know how much tuition could go up, so new students across the state have been waiting to hear how much college is going to cost them. Both universities' boards of trustees preemptively approved their administrations raising tuition as much as state law would allow.

The cost for an in-state, full-time student at Kent State will increase $187.01 per semester to $6,422.73 this fall.

At Akron, the cost for an in-state, full-time student will go up $151.44 to $5,199.72 per semester.

Kent State is also raising room and board 2.87% or $182 per semester.

Akron, however, is not raising rates for room and board in an effort to keep costs low for students.

President Gary Miller said after the university cut housing costs last year, they saw more students living on campus.

"We know that students living on campus generally do better, and we want them to have our campus experience," Miller said.

Miller said the university had contingency plans for different tuition rates depending on what the state approved. A 3% rate was within what was anticipated, he said.

The university is encouraged by an uptick in anticipated fall enrollment, he said, and they expect to see the numbers trend upward after years of falling. Still, Miller said, all colleges are facing tough "demographic headwinds."

"Our goal is to keep enrollment stable with increases, and I think we're planning on be there this year," he said.

Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet. Contact reporter Derek Kreider at dkreider@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kent State, University of Akron to raise tuition 3% for new students