OCTOBER 21, 2004

Mesa State College's Tuition Lower Than National Average

Grand Junction, CO - Based on the results of a study by the College Board, a national higher education advocacy organization, Mesa State College's tuition continues to be lower than the national average both in cost and rate of increase.

"Compared to this year's national average of 10.5 percent tuition increases at public four-year institutions, Mesa State's 1.1 percent tuition rate increase is very modest," said Tim Foster, president of Mesa State College. "We're a student-focused institution, and, as such, we want to maintain affordability and accessibility for all people who have higher education aspirations."

According to the College Board's "Education Pays" study, the average tuition for in-state students at public four-year colleges is $5,132 this year. Colorado residents pay $2063 for full-time tuition at Mesa State College. In addition, Mesa State College facilitates the distribution of more than $25 million in financial aid assistance, including scholarships, Pell Grants and loans.

"Over the past five years, Mesa State's tuition has increased by an average annual rate of 3.5 percent - not the double digit increases seen elsewhere," said Foster. "By supplementing our low tuition with financial aid, we're providing students with an affordable higher education option and they are responding in record numbers."

Since fall 2000, Mesa State's enrollment has increased from 5,212 students to a record enrollment of 6,181 students this fall. This increase of 969 students in four years has made the college one of the fastest-growing four-year institutions in the state. To accommodate this fall's additional students, the college added 29 sections of courses, primarily in the arts and sciences. The semester's record enrollment also included a gain of two percent in students who are 25 years of age or older and a four percent increase in students from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups.

For more information on Mesa State College, contact the publicity coordinator at 970.248.1371. For more information on the College Board's "Education Pays" study, visit www.collegeboard.com.

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