Tuition rates set for Mississippi public universities

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi’s eight public universities planned to raise tuition by an average of 4% next fall.

For the first time, the average cost for a full year of tuition and mandatory fees in Mississippi, excluding other costs, will exceed $8,000.

The College Board on Thursday approved increases for all the universities.

The statewide average for two semesters of full-time tuition and fees will rise by $312 to $8,120. That’s for an in-state undergraduate.

Universities are getting 5.6% more state money next year, but still substantially less than in 2016.

Increases range from 8.4% at Mississippi University for Women to 1.9% at the University of Mississippi.

Most students pay less than the sticker price, but college costs have risen faster than incomes, and 58% of Mississippi students graduate with debt.

BELOW ARE THE FALL RATES

– Alcorn State University: $7,327, up 3%; includes $30 activities fee.

– Delta State University: $7,671, up 5.9%; includes $120 facilities fee and $50 activities fee.

– Jackson State University: $8,445, up 4.9%; includes $105 facilities fee and $70 activities fee.

– Mississippi State University: $8,910, up 3%; includes $100 facilities fee and $10 activities fee.

– Mississippi University for Women: $7,525, up 8.4%; includes $100 facilities fee.

– Mississippi Valley State University: $6,746, up 3%; includes $20 activities fee.

– University of Mississippi: $8,896, up 3.2%; includes $100 facilities fee and $10 activities fee.

– University of Mississippi Medical Center: $8,728, up 3.5%.

– University of Southern Mississippi: $8,896, up 3.2%; includes $70 facilities fee and $40 activities fee.

Source: Mississippi College Board.