Kent State May Act on Tuition Next Month

Students at Kent State University may see another increase in tuition starting in the fall.

For two years running, the Kent State Board of Trustees has voted to raise tuition each fall at its second meeting of the year, which is typically held either in May or June.

Kent State President Lester Lefton said that if the board acts on tuition it will likely come in May, before Ohio legislators are expected to take final action on the state's more than $61 billion biennial budget in June.

"I can’t speculate on what the board’s going to do," Lefton said at the board's March meeting. "General fees and tuition are likely to be capped by the legislature at 2 percent ... if the current budget bill moves forward."

Budget proposals from Gov. John Kasich and House Republicans put a cap of 2 percent on tuition increases at state universities.

The Ohio House approved the budget plan April 18, and the budget bill now heads to the Ohio Senate for consideration. 

Trustees at Ohio University voted this month to raise tuition by less than the 2 percent cap, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

In June 2011 Kent State's trustees voted to raise tuition 3.5 percent — the full increased allowed then by Ohio legislators.

In March 2012 trustees at Kent State again voted to increase tuition by the maximum allowed of 3.5 percent.

Yearly undergraduate tuition is $18,848 for Ohio residents, according to the university. Non-Ohio undergrads pay $26,808 per year.

Correction: This tuition cost cited DOES include room and board.