Clemson tuition going up
4.5% increase for in-state undergrads more than USC's but less than C of C's
Tuition increase rates
Tuition rates per semester at Clemson University for 2009-10:
$5,424 for in-state undergraduates, up $234
$12,579 for out-of-state undergraduates, up $878
Between $3,176 and $4,710 for in-state graduate students, up $105 to $159
Between $6,310 and $9,382 for out-of-state graduate students, up $184 to $291
South Carolina in-state, undergraduate tuition increases for 2009-10:
College of Charleston 7 percent
South Carolina State University 8.4 percent
Clemson University 4.5 percent
The Citadel 3.6 percent
Trident Technical College 3.6 percent
University of South Carolina 3.6 percent
Additional info
See a powerpoint presentation about Clemson's budget (12 slides) and a list of tuition increases for four-year schools since 2004.
A chart of tuition increases for SC public colleges and universities since 2004
COLUMBIA — South Carolina students will pay $5,424 a semester to attend Clemson University next year, $234 more than this year.
The Board of Trustees voted 11-2 Thursday to raise the tuition to offset a $45.7 million shortfall in state money and in losses in the school's endowment. The bulk of the cut, $30 million, will be absorbed by cost-cutting measures, including the elimination of 452 positions.
Out-of-state students will pay $878 more a semester, with tuition at $12,579.
Senior Abby Daniel said students will be glad to learn that the tuition didn't increase more. Everyone on campus was expecting to pay more next year because of the bad economy, she said.
"I don't anticipate many at all that will be in such dire straits that they can't return," Daniel said. "I think the in-state tuition increase is so modest that people will be able to pick that up. I think it's remarkable, the number they kept it to for students, considering the circumstances. And also ensuring our academic quality at the same time was fantastic."
Daniel is undergraduate student body president and a biological sciences major from Irmo.
Trustee Bob Peeler of Lexington, former lieutenant governor, voted against the tuition increase. He did so even though he said the administration worked hard to identify cuts, save money and be efficient. Trustee Nicky McCarter of Columbia also voted against the increase.
"These are extraordinary times for families in South Carolina, and I think it was too much right now," Peeler said.
Board Chairman Bill Hendrix Jr. of Kiawah Island said that without the cost-cutting measures and federal stimulus money, the tuition increase would have been 26 percent. As it is, the increase is 4.5 percent for undergraduate in-state students and 7.5 percent for out-of-state undergrads. The increase for graduate students will run between 3 and 3.5 percent, depending on their residency and program.
The tuition increase is higher than the University of South Carolina's 3.6 percent increase for in-state undergraduates and substantially lower than the College of Charleston's 7 percent increase.
Many of the positions being eliminated at Clemson were vacant because of a hiring freeze that has been in place since last year. Others were temporary positions or were held by people who plan to retire.
"I am confident that we have approved a responsible, prudent and strategic plan today that addresses our current funding crisis," Hendrix said at the meeting. "It protects academic quality, minimizes the impact on students and builds a foundation for our long-term recovery."
Hendrix noted that scholarships and grants bring actual out-of-pocket academic costs to a much lower level. The average cost for in-state freshmen in 2008 was $1,406 per semester and $2,737 for seniors. Those costs, on average, are lower than in 2005.
Reach Yvonne Wenger at ywenger@postandcourier.com or 803-799-9051.
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Comments
pirate42 (anonymous) says...
Hey BAIL OUT THE RICH now we wonder why middle class can not go to college anymore
June 19, 2009 at 4:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jagolet (anonymous) says...
Where's the stimulus money and the education lottery money going, for pete's sake?
June 19, 2009 at 7:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joldham (anonymous) says...
AGAIN I ASK:"WHERE IS THE SACRIFICE FROM THE BIG CORPORATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING?" WE ARE ASKED TO MAKE SACRIFICES TODAY IN SUPPORT OF GETTING THE ECONOMY BACK UP AND GOING BUT, WHERE IS THE SACRIFICING MADE BY THE BIG INSTITUTTIONS? THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE PLACES WHERE OUR FUTURE IS MADE? I'M SCARED FOR OUR FUTURE...
June 19, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Brian1967 (anonymous) says...
Clemson will be serving the same number of students with 450 fewer positions, along with other budget cuts. Clemson certainly is sacrificing a great deal.
The state has cut tens of millions of dollars in the past 12 months from the public universities. The stimulus money doesn't come close to making up for those lost funds.
Finally, while the article accurately describes the in-state tuition increase at the College of Charleston, tuition at the College still is well below the rates charged at USC and Clemson.
June 19, 2009 at 7:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Clemsurf (anonymous) says...
And we voted yes for the lottery because????? I graduated a couple of years ago and will be paying on my loans for 10 more years or so. It's sad that tuition has more than doubled in less than 10 years. By the time my kids go to college, it will no longer be affordable.
June 19, 2009 at 8:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lazy2009 (anonymous) says...
No offense, but college is a ripoff. One attends school for 12 years but thats not good enough. Nope, the only years of education that count are the four years that cost $40k-$50k+. Perhaps it's worth it; a college degree can camoflage stupidity for decades.
June 19, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
Here is some interesting reading and an opinion I whole heartily agree with...
http://charlestonbusiness.com/news/27...
June 19, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
Moreover, in today's climate, a simple four year degree is often not enough.
June 19, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigwhip (anonymous) says...
I'm still looking for an institution that buys ink by the barrel to do some investigative journalism on a money trail for the SC Education lottery. I'm not counting on the P & C doing this for sure.
June 19, 2009 at 10:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
guided, the article you cited was interesting. I'll have to think about that some more. It definitely has an elitest tone that I do not like. However, that has nothing to do with the ideas, and I'll give it some consideration.
June 19, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GeecheeBoi84 (anonymous) says...
The SC Education lottery money goes to those in need, attending technical schools.
June 19, 2009 at 1:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Clemsurf (anonymous) says...
Goes to those in need? I was a poor college kid in Clemson eating Beenie Weenies and Raamen Noodles with jelly sandwiches. Now I'm stuck with over $20k in loans that will take me years to pay back. I was a poor college kid and now I'm a poor graduate because of my monthly loan.
You go to college to get better jobs and more money. However the extra money you get goes to paying off school. You're better off not going to college.
June 19, 2009 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhatMeWorry (anonymous) says...
If you are going to college to make "more money," you're in it for the wrong reasons. Yes, college grad make significantly more than those who just graduate high school, but a bachelors is not a ticket to good compensation.
You go to college to learn. To learn things, yes, but also to learn how to problem-solve. Most importantly, you go to college to learn about what you are passionate about.
I you are intelligent and passionate about something, money (or, more importantly, happiness) will follow.
June 19, 2009 at 2:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhatMeWorry (anonymous) says...
Nice typo in my last sentence. Clearly I is not intelligent....
June 19, 2009 at 2:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robbybobby (anonymous) says...
theronce - in todays climate most 4 year degrees are just that - simple. So many kids graduating now with fluff degrees that are simply not marketable.
clemsurf - how bout some cheese to go with all that wine and beanie weenies. your last piece of logic speaks volumes about where you went to school.
whatmeworry - go to college to learn?? gee, what a novel concept. As bob dylan said, going to school is like doing time.
June 19, 2009 at 2:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cucooke (anonymous) says...
Clemsurf:
There are always other options. I graduated from Clemson with more than 34k in student loans. It was tough paying for all my bills and the student loan.
I deicided to do what needed to be done and joined the army. The army paid for all my loans within 3 years. At that time the only option I had was to go enlisted, but I didn't care. I wanted my loans paid for. Now, the army allows officers to get their loans repaid.
The army isn't for everyone, but it's an option.
June 19, 2009 at 2:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
WhatMeWorry (anonymous) says...
Guided, I thought the article you linked to in your 0857 post was very interesting. Some of the statistics are startling and sad.
Thanks for the link.
June 19, 2009 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
summerville_guy (anonymous) says...
Go Gamecocks!
June 19, 2009 at 3:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Trout_Line (anonymous) says...
It takes the tuition of 11 plus Clemson students to pay for the public relations / marketing employee that received a raise from $60,000 a year to $260,000 a year during our worst recession 30 years. A PR person, not an educator for the students, not even an educator for the athletes like a coach, is making this exorbitant salary. How many others at Clemson are making this kind of money?
Also, does being the most expensive public school in the region move Clemson up Newsweek magazine's list of schools? Who still reads a weekly anyway? I guess I do when I'm at the doctor or an auto shop :
Or is this part of a way to keep undesirables away?
I believe Ben "Pitchfork" Tillman, Clemson's Jim Crow type founder, would approve of Clemson's high tuition.
June 19, 2009 at 4:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Kingjackabobo (anonymous) says...
I dont see anyone bagging on the cost of tution and loans they have to pay back bagging on their parents for the lack of saving or a college fund. Or better yet, how about a summer job during high school and saving some money. I'm sure some Clemsurf managed to enoy a party or two in spite of eating ramen.
let's take a minute to remember that a large percentage of research is done in these schools, and that it isnt always paid for by grants.
12 year's of high school education os ok, but mostly a joke. I have kids working for me with a diploma that don't know how to balance a checkbook.
Finally, if your degree is in "interpersonal communications" or underwater basket weaving, yeah, you may have trouble getting decent job. My high school chum has a poly sci degree. He's a manager of a local chain retailer. Engineering and healthcare are big ticket items right now.
June 19, 2009 at 5:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Brian1967 (anonymous) says...
Hmm. Trout_line criticizes Clemson for paying a communication employee a generous salary. Kingjackabobo suggests a communication graduate can't get a job. I see a contradiction here.
June 19, 2009 at 11:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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