<p>I do not have any reference to post yet but there is a strong rumor the State University System of Florida will soon greatly increase tuition at both Florida State and U Florida to national public university standards. Currently both are at the lowest level for state flagship schools nationally.</p>
<p>This rumor comes from someone in the SUS supposedly.</p>
<p>No idea if this is true.</p>
<p>The increase supposedly will be 70% more than what current tuition is.</p>
<p>Other universities in the SUS will have an increase as well, but it will not be 70% over today's rates.</p>
<p>Your're right! All Florida universities are raising tuition. However, those with research money of more than $100 million can raise tuition more than other state universities. For instance, FSU will be able to charge 40% more for tuition than most state universities. The extra tuition must me phased in over a certain amount of years. Bright futures will cover the statewide increases but the extra 40% will now have to come from somewhere else. Alot of bank accounts, including mine, will be hurt by this!!</p>
<p>I think UF & FSU should be able to charge a fair market value for the services that they are providing. Higher Education is a mature industry, and it's imperative that the flagships are able to compete with the other major research universities across the USA. The tipping point has been reached, and the status quo as we knew it will forever be changed for the flagship universities.</p>
<p>Tuition Differential was a start, but I am of the opinion that they continue to raise tuition by atleast 20% every year until UF & FSU are above the national average. Let the Directional Universities, and the converted community colleges provide access, and allow UF & FSU to pursue excellence.</p>
<p>Overall, Florida's economy can not continue to rely on tourism and agriculture. It's imperative that UF & FSU becomes a pipeline - and they should be put into a position to churn out scientists so that they can send them to the new biomedical firms that are sprouting up all over Florida.</p>
<p>parent2noles, You read that rumor on the ForwardByDesign blog. I wouldn't give too much stock into Brian's propaganda!</p>
<p>Very good points, but these decisions will force many highly qualified studets to attend other universities. Having saved for my daughters college education for many years and now having tuitions raised like this is frustrating. Now I need to decide if I'm willing to go into debt. Lets see college or retirement savings, not an easy decision.</p>
<p>Tuition went up 6% in the spring across the board for Florida U's, and the FSU differential of 15% is added to that for fall for sophomores, freshman. I know the immediate plan is that the differential will go up 10-15% a year until it reaches the 40% allowed by law. That is current. It does not surprise me that the plan is to get it higher. I think the only thing holding things back is Prepaid and Bright Futures, as any across the board increase that is not differential creates a problem for both. I think they need to do what they have to to retain profs and get class sizes down to be competative with other nationally ranked state U's.</p>
<p>shawngomez, I disagree with you. What out of state university would have a better education that has cheaper tuition than say UF (with average tuition costs)? Probably very hard to find. With the example with UF, you'll get above average education with average costs. Sounds like a very good deal to me. Don't forget, with the extra money from tuition, your kid's academic experience will enhance, which would improve the value of the degree.</p>
<p>All good arguments as to why tuition needs to be raised, but if my kid can't go there because of money reasons, it makes no difference to me. I see those who go for free, because they are poor and those with lots of money. It's simple, if your kid had to step aside and let a less qualified student fill her/his spot you would be frustrated too.</p>
<p>^ This is why the directional universities and the converted community colleges should focus on access. UF & FSU must focus on excellence. Their are still 9 other institutions withing the State University System to choose from.</p>
<p>It's impossible to have your cake and eat it too with these conditions. The legislature funds UF & FSU at a disgustingly low level. The only answer is to raise tuition to the national average. It's just good public policy in my opinion.</p>
<p>shawngomez,</p>
<p>I understand where you're coming from. But one must remember that university education is an investment. Students invest tuition money to learn a valuable skill that will help them generate an income when they graduate. UF is ranked #2 in the Kiplinger's "bang for the tuition buck" ranking. As flattering as it is to be ranked that high, it tells me that UF's tuition is disgustingly cheap.</p>
<p>Tuition has been rising at a much greater pace than inflation and wages for many years now. How much does it cost to attend the FSU now? If you make attending FSU and U of Florida to expensive for the middle class, you wont have the brightest students. You'll only have those with lots of money and those attending on grants. I understand that there are very intelligent students within those segments of the population but if the middle class is excluded then the "flagship" universities will suffer.</p>
<p>Truth be told, I will come up with the extra money somehow. Thats if my daughter chooses FSU. I appreciate your opinions. My last comment on this subject.</p>
<p>shawngomez,</p>
<p>You're missing something here. If tuitions at UF and FSU get bumped up to the national average, then it will still be cheaper than going out to say the University of Michigan and paying the much higher out of state tuition. The students that don't think it's worth investing a little more into their education and career can go to one of the directional schools to get a degree.</p>
<p>If I see additional information I'll post it. </p>
<p>For now this (suggested tuition increase) is all rumor and there is no substantiation I can find.</p>