CLC students will pay almost 6 percent more

For the fifth year in a row, the College of Lake County is raising tuition.

Beginning in the fall, students who live in the district will pay $5 more per credit hour, bringing the total to $95 per credit hour.

For an average full-time student taking 15 credit hours per semester, the increase translates to $75 and brings tuition to $1,425.

"Raising tuition is always a very difficult decision," CLC interim president James Rock said in a written statement. "Unfortunately, given the fact that the state is covering an ever-decreasing share of our operating costs, it was a necessary decision."

The cost to attend CLC has risen almost 64 percent since the school began annual tuition increases in 2003. CLC has a total enrollment of 16,000.

The board of trustees approved the latest increase, a 5.6 percent hike, this week by a 6-0 vote. Board chairman William Griffin was not in attendance.

The board also approved $5 per credit hour increases in the out-of-district and out-of-state tuition rates.

Out-of-district tuition will be $206 per credit hour, and out-of-state tuition will be $277 per credit hour for the 2008-09 academic year.

The Grayslake school isn't the only community college to raise prices. Harper College in Palatine announced this week it would increase rates 6 percent beginning this summer.

College of DuPage, Elgin Community College, McHenry County College and Triton College have all increase tuition in the last year.

According to CLC, state apportionment makes up only about 8 percent of the school's revenue.

This year, despite increases in enrollment, the college received less state funding than last year, CLC officials said.

CLC tuition continues to climb

Tuition per credit hour has increased nearly 64 percent at College of Lake County over the last five years. Here's a breakdown of that cost for in-district students:

2003-04: $58

2004-05: $64

2005-06: $70

2006-07: $80

2007-08: $90

2008-09: $95

How CLC tuition stacks up against other area community colleges

Triton College: $65.16 (proposed for 2008-09 school year)

McHenry County College: $82

Oakton Community College: $84.60

Harper College: $99

Elgin Community College: $91

College of Lake County: $95

College of DuPage: $103

Source: college admission offices.