Tech, VSU hold down tuition increases

Virginia Tech's board of visitors is holding down tuition increases for next year.

Tech, which had anticipated a 9 percent rise, has approved a 5 percent increase for tuition and mandatory fees for Virginia undergraduate students. That will bring their cost to $8,605, a $407 increase. Total average annual costs for a Virginia undergraduate student living on campus will rise from $13,674 to $14,429.

Out-of-state undergraduates not living on campus will pay $21,878, a 5.1 percent increase. With housing, their cost will rise from $26,302 to $27,702.

Tech credits federal stimulus funds for helping to hold down the increase, as does Virginia State University.

VSU's board has increased by $271 the amount that in-state undergraduates will pay for tuition and mandatory fees for the next academic year. Out-of-state undergraduate students will see an annual increase of $490. Basic room and board rates for all students will rise $340.

The 4.4 percent increase brings the total cost of attending VSU for 2009-10 to $14,224 for in-state undergraduates who live on campus and $6,174 for nonboarding students.

For nonresidents, the cost will be $22,558 with housing for undergraduates and $14,508 for nonboarders.

-- Karin Kapsidelis