USNH Trustees Approve Budget, Set Tuition and Fee Rates for 2005-2006

June 23, 2005 - Durham , NH - Tuition and mandatory fees for in-state students to attend residential institutions of the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) will increase by a little over six percent this fall under the budget approved today by the USNH Board of Trustees. The Board held their annual business meeting at the University of New Hampshire to set rates for the coming year at UNH, Plymouth State University , Keene State College, and Granite State College.

"As a Board, we are very committed to keeping increases to a minimum through cost containment efforts and continued efficiencies," said Board Chairman Andrew Lietz. "It is important to examine the combined impact of tuition and fees instead of just tuition, when determining the actual rate of any increase. Based on the combined figures, we were able to come away with increases that compare favorably with our peer regional institutions," he added. At the same time, Trustees voted to approve a $385M operating budget for "education and general" purposes in FY06, which represents a 3.6 percent spending increase above the current FY05 level. The budget also includes a 2.2 percent state appropriation increase, to $87.5M. When combined with activity from auxiliary (self-supporting) operations and sponsored grants and programs, the total USNH operating revenue and expenses will be $644M next year. For FY06, tuition for in-state students will increase by 6.9 percent. In dollar terms, tuition for in-state students at the University of New Hampshire will increase by $500, to $7,710. The tuition at both Plymouth State University and Keene State College will rise $350, to $5,410. The tuition for students of the Granite State College will increase by $13 per credit, for a total of $195 per credit hour. Tuition increases would have been larger, but Trustees endorsed a two-year plan that will equalize tuition rate increases over the biennium by deferring some expenses and use of reserves. The tuition rate adjustments, combined with a rise in room, board and student fees that vary from campus to campus, will increase the total cost of attendance on residential campuses by approximately six percent for in-state students except at Keene State College, where the cost of new dining commons will add $250 in new fees. The total cost of attendance for in-state students attending the University of New Hampshire will be $16,810 in the fall of 2005. The total cost at Plymouth State University will be $13,718, with in-state students paying $13,826 at Keene State College. In New England, combined tuition and mandatory fee increases range from little more than three percent to over nine percent, with in-state students at the University of Maine-Orono, University of Rhode Island, and University of Connecticut seeing increases of at least eight percent.

"We are very proud of all of the efforts made by our institutions to keep our per student operating costs among the lowest in the nation, while providing high quality educational opportunities to individuals in nearly every corner of the state," Chairman Lietz added. "As a Board, we will continue to look at ways to maintain accessibility and affordability, but not lose sight of the qualities that make our institutions attractive to students in New Hampshire and beyond."

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UNH | Plymouth State | Keene State | Granite State