LSU already has an out-of-state tuition and fee bill that reaches almost three times the in-state cost. Now, students are wondering how the budget cuts will affect these rates.
Cost of tuition and fees is one of the most influential aspects of choosing which college to attend. Over the last decade, Louisiana public four-year college tuition cost has nearly doubled.
For Animal Science major Collin Letard, costs are already high due to the fact that both her and her older brother attend LSU as out-of-state students.
“Growing up I didn’t think about cost until about sophomore or junior year,” said Letard. “It really did put a second thought into my head, like is this really where I wanna go or not, because it was gonna be a lot coming from out-of-state.”
LSU used to receive about 70 percent of its funding from the state and only 30 percent from self-generated dollars.
“Over the last six years, it’s changed in that the majority of the funding now is coming from self-generated dollars, which is tuition and fees,” explained Tommy Smith, Associate Vice Chancellor of Finance & Administrative Services and Vice Provost for Finance. “And, so that looks like the direction we’re heading.”
The impending budget cuts are keeping students on their toes in regards to how this will affect the amount they pay for education.
“It may affect me not being able to go here because my family wouldn’t be able to afford any more than what we’re paying now,” said Taylor Bacon, Religious Studies Major.
If you would like to stay updated, you can sign up for Tiger Advocates’ through the Alumni Association website.
