Tuition at all state Community Colleges, including Cascadia, Edmonds, Everett and Shoreline, is increasing this year by 7 percent, the second straight year fees have increased by that percentage.
Students at Everett and Edmonds can now expect to pay $771, up from $716 per quarter, and non-residents can expect to pay $2,507, up from $2,450 per quarter.
The reason for this is “budget cuts, plain and simple” said Chris Reyddal, the operating budget director for the state Board of Community and Technical Colleges. “There’s been a deeper recession and has lasted longer in this state.”
“Community colleges operate as part of the state system and can’t set tuition rates independently,” said Michelle Graves, a spokeswoman for EdCC. “The Legislature gives the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges the authority to raise tuition and the board sets statewide tuition rates.”
Craig Johnson, Student Body President at EdCC said, “Most students will pay and go along, but there are certain groups who are paying out of pocket.”
This hasn’t deterred students from enrolling, however.
“The numbers aren’t in for this year, but we are expecting a comparable number for fall enrollment as last year,” Graves said.
The numbers of new students enrolled each year has been continuing to grow, however. Since 2000, the amount of new students attending EdCC has increased by 18 percent.
This is due to factors such as the increasing amount of high school graduates and the economy, Graves said.
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