LSU chancellor says tuition could be raised

In its continuing bid to raise tuition, LSU is touting results of a national survey of college costs showing LSU’s instate tuition and fees are less than similar schools around the country. LSU Chancellor Michael Martin says the survey shows the university shouldn’t be afraid to charge more for students to attend the school. He says that’s the way to remain competitive with peer institutions. The College Board’s annual report was released earlier this week. It shows that in the current school year, average published tuition and fees for in-state students at public flagship universities in the U.S. are $8,353. By comparison, LSU’s instate tuition and fee cost was $5,233. School officials also note that while tuition at LSU is up 2.9% this school year compared with the figures for 2008-09, peer universities such as Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas reported an average increase of 6.6% for instate tuition this year. Those universities had an average instate tuition and fee total of $7,668. Tuition and fee increases in Louisiana require two-thirds approval from state lawmakers. “Louisiana is the only state in America that gives its Legislature that much power,” Martin says. “And I tend to believe there should be a little greater distance between higher education and politics.”