College costs rise for SDSU students
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Thousands of San Diego college students will pay more tuition starting next fall and for the next five years under a new plan the California State University System board approved last week.
Why it matters: The cost of earning a college degree is getting more expensive, which limits who can attend universities, even public institutions like Cal State, that pride themselves on social mobility and economic diversity.
- CSU is also on a mission to significantly increase graduation rates, particularly among low-income and minority students, and to eliminate equity gaps in degree completion by 2025.
By the numbers: Under the new 6% annual tuition hike, San Diego State University and CSU San Marcos students will pay $6,084 for the 2024-25 school year, up from $5,742 this fall.
- That would reach $7,682 by the 2028-29 academic year, a 34% increase.
- For graduate students, tuition would climb from $7,176 to $7,608 in the first year and to $9,604 by year five.
- $34,072 is the current estimated cost of attendance for students living on campus.
Context: Cal State has only increased its tuition once in the past 12 years.
- About 60% of Cal State undergrads have their tuition fully covered by grants, scholarships or waivers, according to recent university reports.
- The system touts that more than half of its students earning bachelor's degrees will graduate without any education loan debt.
The big picture: Tuition and fees across the 22 schools in the San Diego metro area have increased over the years.
- Yes, but: The price tag is lower than the nationwide median annual cost of $16,429, per federal data for the 2021-22 school year.
- The same is true for local public and private universities only.
- In the San Diego area, the median cost for tuition and fees is $14,489 overall.
State of play: CSU faces a $1.5 billion budget shortfall, which prompted the board to consider the tuition increase for full-time undergrads.
- The problem is CSU can't afford the costs of academic and support services necessary for students, many of whom are low-income and first-generation college attendees, Cal Matters reported.
- The proposal sparked protests by students, faculty and staff across the system this summer.
Of note: CSU trustees will reevaluate the tuition increase in five years for the 2029-30 academic year.