Tuition To Increase At Connecticut State Universities

HARTFORD, CT – The Board of Regents for Higher Education on Thursday voted unanimously to set a higher tuition and increase some fees for the four Connecticut State Universities and Charter Oak State College.

Under the adopted 2019-20 structure, tuition for CSU students will increase by 5 percent while mandatory university fees will be held flat and room fee increases will be capped at 2.5 percent.

CSU average tuition and fees will increase by $479 or 4.4 percent for an in-state undergraduate commuter student and by $860 or 3.6 percent for in-state residential students, according to the regents.

Tuition for COSC students will increase by 2.9 percent, while fees will increase by 4.2 percent, the plan dictates.

"Tuition increases are always a last resort, and the board did not take this decision lightly," Connecticut State Colleges and Universities President Mark Ojakian said. "We have always maintained that we would not balance budgets on the backs of students, and this step is no exception. Even despite the increase, we anticipate drawing down on up to $20 million in university reserves. Our state colleges and universities are and will continue to be the most affordable and accessible option for Connecticut students to receive quality and affordable higher education."

Gov. Ned Lamont’s budget proposal calls for flat funding plus partial coverage of SEBAC raises. Without additional state funding, this tuition increase is expected to leave universities with a budget gap of approximately $20 million.

The ultimate shortfall will be closed with use of reserves, campus spending reductions, or a combination, officials said.