West Shore considers tuition hike

VICTORY TWP. — West Shore Community College’s Board of Trustees will take a look at increasing tuition rates beginning the fall semester.

“Increasing tuition is always a difficult decision,” President Charles Dillon wrote in a memo to the board. “But with your leadership, we have consistently honored our foundational commitment to affordability. Our tuition increases have always focused on putting students first.”

In-district tuition rates have increased an average of 3.6 percent over the past 10 years. In 2003, tuition was $61 per credit hour and is now $83 per credit hour.

Dillon said the in-district tuition rate compares favorably to other Michigan community colleges. The average tuition for the “small 10” community colleges in Michigan is $93.08 per credit hour.

Dillon is proposing tuition increases as follows:

In-district: From $83 to $86

Out-of-district: From $150 to $155

Out-of-state: From $200 to $205

The board meets at 4 p.m. today in the college’s board room.