JSU to increase tuition

 The Jacksonville State University board of trustees  approved a new $110.7 million budget Monday that includes projected revenue from a yet-to-be approved 5 percent  increase in tuition.

The tuition increase will be considered at the board’s April meeting, . Since 2008, the university has repeatedly increased tuition to balance falling state funding, but last year avoided an increase. The university now charges $283 per credit hour for in-state students, which is about $3,396 for one semester with a 12-hour course load.

JSU President Bill Meehan said that other Alabama institutions are likely to increase rates this year. Trustee Randy Jones said he would like to see the university avoid an increase by enrolling more students and increasing the number of classes students take.

Student Government Association President Brett Johnson said a hike might keep some prospective students from enrolling.

Meehan said the university is about 3 percent below the median tuition cost of the state's 14 public universities. He said the university does not plan to charge a tuition rate that exceeds the median.