The Wyoming Community College Commission is increasing the tuition for 2006-2007 as a part of a five-year plan.
The change will affect all seven of the Wyoming community colleges including Northwest College, said NWC President Miles LaRowe.
According to the WCCC, full-time, in-state tuition will rise from $684 to $708 per semester. For in-state students taking up to 12 credits, tuition will increase $2 per credit hours to $59. Full-time, out-of-state tuition will be $2,136 up from $2,064. Out-of-state part-time fees will change from $172 to $178.
Though the tuition is increasing, NWC is still competitive with neighboring states, said LaRowe. According to the WCCC tuition review, Wyoming schools are still less expensive than Montana, Idaho, Colorado schools and others.
LaRowe predicted that about $70,000 in new revenue would be generated by this tuition increase. He also said that the majority of this money would be used to fund scholarships for NWC students.
LaRowe said that 2006-2007 is the final year for the five-year plan. The WCCC initially planned to raise tuition four percent every year starting in 2000-2001 school year, said LaRowe. He also said that this year’s increase is only 3.5 percent so the new tuition would come to an even dollar amount.
Now that this plan is finished the WCCC will be making new plans for the future, said LaRowe.