College Tuition Rises 9%

[jeffrey]

The price tag for college tuition is continuing to climb this year, but experts are predicting less sticker shock than in the past two years. The average is 9%, which translates to $491. Last year, the average percentage increase was 14%.

"It's definitely not pop-the-champagne-corks-and-dance-in-the-street time," says Travis Reindl of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. "But it's definitely better than the two years before that."

The most expensive in-state tuition this year of the 67 schools was Penn State at $10,856, a jump of 12% since last year but 30% since 2002-03. Rutgers was next: Tuition increased 8% this year — 40% since 2002-03. The University of Vermont, at $10,226, had a 6% increase this year, 14% since 2002-03. In a few states, tuitions have increased 50% or more since 2002-03... [read more at usatoday.com]