News
Regents Approve 0% Tuition Increase for Next Academic Year
04/18/18
Dalton State students will pay the same tuition for the 2018-2019 academic year as the current 2017-2018 year following a vote for a zero percent tuition increase yesterday by The Georgia Board of Regents.
“We know that access to a high quality yet affordable college education is very important to our students,” said Dr. Margaret Venable, president. “For this reason, I am proud that we remain one of the most affordable four-year colleges in the nation. We remain committed to maintaining our high quality college credentials even more efficiently next year.”
Mandatory fees at Dalton State will increase by a modest $17 per semester next year as the second year of a two-year increase to boost athletics is implemented.
“We sought a $34 per semester increase a year ago from the Board of Regents as we worked to build a more financially sustainable model for our program of intercollegiate athletics. The Board agreed to split the fee increase over two academic years which is reflected in the current increase,” Venable said.
The cost for a Georgia or Tennessee resident taking 15 hours a semester at Dalton State next year will be $2,123 in tuition and fees. Other out of state students will pay $6,334 for a 15-hour semester at Dalton State.
“We are grateful to Gov. Nathan Deal and the General Assembly for their consistent support of public higher education in Georgia,” Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. “We also recognize the critical need to keep our institutions affordable for students while providing a quality education. The board’s decision maintains our commitment to keeping tuition increases to a minimum.”
The University System has been able to limit tuition increases to an average of 1.8 percent annually over the last five years.
“In 2016, a state audit report found that tuition and fees in the University System averaged 25 percent less than what institutions in peer states charged,” said Shelley Nickel, executive vice chancellor for strategy and fiscal affairs. “In 2018, we remain focused on giving students an affordable, accessible, and high-quality experience that we hope ultimately results in their success.”
In addition, the USG is saving students $19 million a year with its free online textbook initiative called Affordable Learning Georgia. More than 219,300 students across the system have benefitted directly from the program, which has grown rapidly. So far, 10 teams of Dalton State faculty and staff members have sought Affordable Learning Georgia grants to develop course materials, the second most such projects in the University System of Georgia. They have received more than $122 thousand in ALG grant funding to develop materials; cost savings to students over a three-year period could top $1 million.