College tuition rates soaring across U.S.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A new report by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association shows tuition for public college and universities continues to soar.

In the 2011-2012 school year, tuition at public schools across the United States increased, on average, 8.3 percent. Bursar bills increased $5,189.

In Indiana, the cost of a public education was much lower. On average, tuition increased last school year by 4.9 percent. But, in the last five years that same tuition has increased more than 19 percent.

The report also noted state and local funding has drastically decreased over several years. For the last school year, funds for operating expenses, research and student aid fell nine percent, the lowest level in 25 years.

Public enrollment, however, has skyrocketed. Enrollment at U.S. college and universities has increased 30 percent in the last decade.

In Indiana, public universities and colleges are offering incentives to keep tuition low, keep students graduating on time, and meeting demands.

Last week, Purdue University announced it was freezing tuition for two years. Indiana University offers a tuition freeze to sophomores who are on pace to graduate in two years. The freeze allows students to hold tuition for the final two years. Ball State offers a $500 scholarship to students who graduate in four years.

The report looked at tuition paid at all state institutions, ranging from community colleges to public law schools (adjusted for inflation.) The tuition figures do not include fees or costs associated with room-and-board.