Information about the Tuition Plateau and Per-Credit-Hour Fee

At its March 14 meeting, the Kent State University Board of Trustees approved a change to the university’s tuition plateau, which will be phased in starting the fall 2012 semester. The board recognizes that the resources provided as state assistance are constrained by the economic challenges throughout the nation, state and region. Nevertheless, additional resources are needed in a number of areas to preserve academic program quality, facilities and services to students in order that the university’s excellence agenda may continue. 

The university is implementing a two-step change in the tuition plateau to 11-17 credit hours for 2012-13 and 11-16 credit hours beginning 2013-14. Students (Ohio residents and out-of-state) will be charged $440 per credit hour for all enrolled hours above the full-time tuition range. That is the regular per-credit rate for tuition and general fees for students taking less than 11 credits.

In the first year, there will be no impact on 87 percent of Kent State students as 12.6 percent of students enrolled in 18 or more credits in the fall 2011 semester. The average credit-hour load for all students is 13.5. To achieve on-time graduation, most majors require a minimum of 121 hours, or 15 or 16 hours per semester.

Kent State will remain a great value proposition for our current students and those who enroll in the future. The university’s tuition and fees rank 7th of Ohio’s public universities, meaning that six institutions have higher tuition. Even with the new plateau for next year and the tuition increase, we estimate that for students taking 18-20 hours, Kent State’s tuition and fees will still rank about 5th of the universities.

Current Annualized Tuition and Fees Benchmark, Ohio Board of Regents

Miami                      $13,105
Cincinnati               $10,419
Bowling Green      $10,164
Ohio                           $9,936
Ohio State                 $9,735
Akron                         $9,569
Kent State               $9,346
Cleveland State       $9,002
Toledo                       $8,926
Wright State              $8,070
Youngstown State   $7,451

Currently, only Miami, Ohio State and Kent State do not charge a course overload fee. Both Miami and Ohio State charge more for tuition and fees. For the current year, four institutions use a plateau of 12-16 credits: Cleveland State, Akron, Toledo and Youngstown State. Five institutions set their flat rate for 12-18 credits: Bowling Green, Central State, Cincinnati, Shawnee State and Wright State.

Only Kent State and Ohio University count 11 credits as full-time for tuition purposes.  In effect, this means that every student at Kent State receives two credits a year for free compared to peers across the state and nation.

We are listening and stand ready to help students through the transition. The minimum number of credit hours required for graduation is 121, so students who take 15-16 credits per semester will still be able to graduate in four years in most majors without feeling an impact from this change. For students who feel that they must take more than the tuition plateau and are facing financial hardship, the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs (EMSA) are ready to listen and to help.