Kent State University Sets 2011-2012 Tuition

In the last year, Kent State University recorded its highest enrollment in its 100-year history, resulting in Kent State now ranking as the second largest public university in the state of Ohio. The university was recognized by Times Higher Education of London as one of the top 200 universities in the world in its World University Rankings and by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best national universities. With the state facing serious financial challenges, Kent State has been proactive in anticipating how to respond to lower state funding during a time of increasing need for more college-educated Ohioans.

The university has been restructuring its financial position, guided by four principles, including preserve the high value of the education and services provided to our students, protect and enhance enrollment growth, increase efficiencies, and maintain responsibility-centered management.
 
To enable the university to continue its multi-faceted efforts to provide high-quality academic programs to an increasing number of students, Kent State University officials have approved a 3.5 percent tuition increase for undergraduate and graduate students on the university’s eight campuses effective fall semester 2011.

The action comes following the passage of the state of Ohio’s biennial budget. Based on the new state budget, Kent State is projected to receive about $16 million less from the state in 2011-12, across its eight campuses. On June 2, the Board of Trustees authorized the Board Chair, Chair of the Board’s Finance and Administration Committee, and the President to set tuition and related fees for fall semester 2011 within guidelines set forth in the final state budget bill.

The approved increase is in keeping with a state-mandated limit on undergraduate tuition increases for the 2011-2012 academic year, and it is expected to leave Kent State’s tuition ranked in the middle of Ohio’s public universities. Effective fall semester 2011, undergraduate tuition for students at the Kent Campus will increase $158 per semester (from $4,515 to $4,673). Graduate tuition will increase $168 per semester (from $4,803 to $4,971). There was no increase in the surcharge for non-Ohio residents.

“Students and their parents recognize the great educational experience and value that Kent State provides,” said Kent State President Lester A. Lefton. “We meet the expectations of our students by offering world-class programs taught by first-rate faculty in a diverse, inclusive and vibrant community. Kent State is dedicated to ensuring student success and continues to be one of Ohio’s most affordable public universities.”

Jacqueline F. Woods, chair of the Kent State Board of Trustees, expressed appreciation to state officials for their support of higher education, even as they must deal with a very challenging economic climate for Ohio.

“We appreciate that Governor Kasich, the General Assembly, and Chancellor Petro continue to value higher education and wish to place Ohio among the best higher education systems in the country in terms of quality, access, value and impact,” she said. “Kent State is working diligently to deliver high value to our students, to the state and to the communities we serve.”

For more information about Kent State, visit www.kent.edu.

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Media Contact:
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595