Tuition increase approved for Washington community colleges starting next school year | News [Video]

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges(SBCTC) has approved a tuition increase starting next school year. 

“It largely reflects inflationary cost increases,” Spokane Community College’s Chief Financial Officer Dr. Linda McDermott said. 

The 3.3% tuition increase was discussed Thursday night. For a Washington community college student, this increase would result in around $54 more per quarter, just over $160 per year.

“It largely reflects our inflationary cost increases,” Dr. McDermott said.

Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) says the tuition increase is expected to generate $800,000 to its budget. CCS says this will be put back into institutions and is more needed as the state deals with budget shortfalls.

“It is to help support the programs and services that we can offer to students,” said Laura McDowell, Communications Director for SBCTC. “Costs are going up at our colleges and for us to be able to continue …