College cost at Fresno State is
40 percent below national average

by Tom Uribes

Fresno State is basking in studies released recently that show its costsare down in contrast to a national trend of increases.

According to two College Board studies released in October, college costs have risen by about four percent nationally, while Fresno State's $1,794 annual fee is down from last year's $1,822 - nearly a 2 percent decrease.

Additionally, Fresno State's fee is nearly 40 percent less than the national average of $3,243 for four-year public institutions reported in one of the surveys, "Trends in College Pricing 1998."

"Undergraduates at American colleges will pay, on average, approximately four percent more this year than last in tuition and fees at four-year public institutions," the College Board reported. "Depending on the type of institution, that means students will pay from $66 more to $723 more than last year."

The College Board's Annual Survey of Colleges, 1998-99, is the basis for data collected in "Trends in College Pricing 1998."

Bernie Vinovrski, the university's assistant vice president for enrollment services, downplays such surveys but said they nonetheless illustrate that at Fresno State students get valuable education for their investment.

"The average college-bound student doesn't pay attention to these surveys," said Vinovrski, adding that University Outreach Services recruiters have been touting Fresno State as providing an "inexpensive but quality" education.

College Board President Donald M. Stewart said the surveys' results give the public, particularly policy makers, "a comprehensive picture of the financial realities and challenges facing college students and their families."

Stewart encouraged colleges to do more to hold the line on rising prices; he also encouraged families to plan ahead in order to finance college expenses.

"The cost of attending college presents a steadily rising challenge to many Americans - particularly the most financially disadvantaged," Stewart said.

Though costs rose, financial aid also increased according to the second survey, "Trends in Student Aid 1998," which is the College Board's annual report.

More than $60 billion in total aid from federal, state, and institutional sources was available to students and their families in 1997-98 to assist with tuition, fees, and other expenses of attending college - an increase of 6 percent over the previous year, after adjusting for inflation.

At Fresno State, approximately $73 million was awarded for 1998-99 to students needing financial assistance, compared to more than $66 million last year, a 17 percent increase.

The surveys also reported that students can expect to face charges of 3 to 5 percent more for room and board.