Tuition Rising at 3 NJ Community Colleges

Falling state aid and rising enrollment is forcing three community colleges in northern New Jersey to raise their tuition, according to a story in the Star-Ledger.  While attending community college for one or two years is a valid option to save some money on a four-year college eduction, costs are still significant enough that they need to be planned for and not taken lightly.

Here's an excerpt from the news story:

by Joe Moszczynski/The Star-Ledger

While still considered a bargain, community colleges in Sussex, Morris and Warren counties are planning higher-than-usual tuition increases this year, in part due to a reduction in state aid and rising enrollments.

"More students mean community colleges need more full-time and adjunct faculty to teach more classes. So, the more students we serve, the more funding we need to provide the quality education they expect when they enroll," said Jacob Farbman, spokesman for the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.

Sussex County Community College approved an 8 percent tuition hike earlier this month that will raise tuition from $94 per credit to $101, or from $2,670 to $2,880 per year for a full-time student carrying 30 credits per year.

The County College of Morris will increase tuition starting this summer by 6 percent as the school delays some programs, refrains from hiring some faculty and cuts a couple of jobs, CCM President Edward Yaw has said.

Warren County Community College, where the growing enrollment has forced students to park on grassy medians because of insufficient parking spots, is considering a 6 percent increase. WCCC has a decision on the tuition increase until final state aid numbers come in.

The state's 19 community colleges have experienced an unprecedented 30 percent jump in full-time enrollment over the past five years, said Farbman, as more students are finding the four-year universities unaffordable.

New Jersey residents pay about $12,000 a year to attend Rutgers, and students attending private universities pay more than $30,000.

"The economy is now playing a major role in the increase in the enrollment, but it's not the sole reason. This has been going on for five years. It's not a fad," said Farbman.