Should Virginia Raise Public College Tuition?

By Jessie Biele and Rachel Hatzipanagos

Students at Virginia four-year institutions will pay about $468 more in tuition and mandatory fees, starting this fall.

Virginia has implemented a 5.1 percent tuition and fees increase, which is the lowest increase in a decade, according to the annual report from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia released last week.

At George Mason University in Fairfax, a full-time, in-state student will have to pay 3 percent more, or $288. Students at GMU who live on campus will see an increase of $310 in room and board costs.

Students of Virginia’s Community College System will see a 4.4-percent increase on average, or about $165 more in tuition and mandatory fees, the report states.

Readers reacted to this news on the Fairfax City Patch Facebook page.

Reader Cynthia Eftis thinks the state should stop the high tuition increases. She says, “I don't think it correlates with the cost of living increases. Are they giving all the university employees raises with these increases? I'm for raising taxes instead. Build more colleges and raise taxes to subsidize them. At least at the community college level.”

So we ask, What do you think of these fee hikes? Are they fair, or should Virginia keep fees as is? Tell us in the comments.