WEST PLAINS, Mo.– Students attending Missouri State University-West Plains during the 2015-2016 academic year will see an increase in their basic tuition, pending approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors.
Board members are expected to vote on a resolution increasing tuition during their annual spring retreat March 12-13 in St. Charles, Missouri. If approved, tuition for Missouri residents will increase from $114 to $119 per credit hour. Tuition for out-of-state residents will go up from $228 to $238 per credit hour. Tuition is lower for Missouri residents because Missouri State-West Plains is a state-assisted institution, university officials explained.
“Since I have been at Missouri State-West Plains, our enrollment has grown by 25 percent and inflation has grown by 14 percent, but our state appropriations have only grown by 3 percent,” said Chancellor Drew Bennett. “We are very mindful of the impact that a tuition increase will have on the students in our area, but after careful consideration, and with the input of faculty, staff and student representatives, it was decided than an increase was necessary this year to continue to provide quality academic programs and the services needed for an increased student population.”
The resolution also outlines other fees charged by the university, several of which will increase, as well. The fee charged for courses in the Associate of Science in Nursing degree program will go from $145 to $152 per credit hour for Missouri residents and from $290 to $304 for non-residents. Fees for courses in the Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care program will go from $137 to $144 per credit hour for Missouri residents and from $274 to $288 per credit hour for non-residents. The cost of taking online courses will go from $129 to $135 per credit hour for Missouri residents and non-residents. Students taking courses through the campus’ high school dual credit/dual enrollment program will pay $60 per credit hour, up from $57 per credit hour this year.
University officials explained the fee structure for nursing, respiratory care and online courses are different than that for other classes due to the additional costs associated in providing these programs. High school dual credit/dual enrollment courses are offered at half the rate of normal tuition.
Students staying in the Grizzly House residence hall also will see an increase in room and board. Those fees will go up from $2,740 per semester for housing and a 20-meal-per-week plan at the Putnam Student Center cafeteria to $2,795 per semester in 2015-16. Summer charges will increase from $1,170 to $1,194.
And, pending approval of students in their annual student government elections this spring, the Capital Projects Fee will increase from $15 to $20 per semester. University officials noted 50 percent of the fees collected go toward student-approved capital projects on campus while the remainder is used for campus grounds, parking and maintenance.
For more information about tuition and student fees, contact the Missouri State-West Plains business office at 417-255-7260.