ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - Students from Missouri Western University will pay 5.5 percent higher tuition, which is a drop from the university's first proposal.
The governing board of the university in St. Joseph approved the increase Wednesday. The board had previously approved a 6.3 percent increase. But David Russell, Missouri Department of Higher Education commissioner, told the board that the larger increase could trigger a penalty because it exceeded the consumer price index.
The St. Joseph News-Press reports that the 5.5 percent increase also could trigger a penalty, but the penalty is expected to be waived because the board lowered the rate.
The 5.5 percent increase would mean $10.50 more per credit hour for in-state, undergraduate students.
Western is expecting an 8.2 percent decrease in state appropriations for the fiscal year 2012.
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Information from: St. Joseph News-Press, http://www.stjoenews-press.com