Clatsop Community College Board of Education approved a tuition increase of $7 per credit at their June 14th board meeting. The increase will take affect starting Winter Term 2023 in an attempt to balance financial challenges that are similarly affecting regional institutions across the state and across the country as well.
CCC has not increased tuition since 2019 when it went up by $3 per credit. Over the past few years, the College chose to reduce departmental budgets at the college rather than ask for a tuition increase. However, in order to keep up with the rate of inflation and to maintain offerings and services the college is now in a position where a tuition increase is necessary. CCC President Chris Breitmeyer stated, “We’ve created a very lean budget for the College this coming year, but even with those efforts there was still need to raise tuition to ensure that we are able to provide high-quality instruction and student support services that allow us to meet our mission of providing opportunities for the citizens of Clatsop County.”
Fortunately, even after the increase, Clatsop Community College will still remain one of the lowest cost college options in Oregon.
Tuition for students will increase from $105 per credit to $112 for Oregon residents. Full-time student tuition for three terms of 12 credit hours each (an average class load of a full-time student) will be $4,032 up from $3,780 last year, a $252 increase per year. General registration fees will not increase. Border state tuition (Washington) will also see the $7 increase and raise to $115 per credit.
The CCC Budget Committee met multiple times this spring going over the anticipated revenue and expenses for the upcoming year and determined the tuition increase was needed. Some of the factors considered by the committee were that the operating costs for the college have risen, inflations impact on the cost of supplies, an anticipated decrease in state funding, decreased revenues from lower enrollments during the pandemic, and the uncertainty about the ongoing impact of COVID on student retention and enrollment.
President Breitmeyer says he will be making sure the college is ready to address questions regarding the tuition change and work with students as needed. He stated, “A $7 per credit increase is not taken lightly by me or the college staff. CCC is ready to help students and families with scholarship and financial aid options. There are opportunities for students to get financial assistance if they fill out scholarship and FAFSA applications which we can help them do. CCC also has resources to assist students with basic needs and reduce barriers so students can focus on their classes and learn skills that will lead them to a bright future. We are here to help.”
