UMD tuition a burden, but worth it for some

University of Maryland, College Park financial officials worry that rising undergraduate tuition rates may deter out-of-state students, but say they are working hard through the state department and they are creating programs to keep the university affordable so students return each year.

Robert A. Platky, Assistant Vice President and Director of Budget & Fiscal Analysis at the University of Maryland, College Park says although the university tries its hardest to keep tuition affordable, the price is ultimately determined by the state and how many students actually attend the university in the fall.

Platky says factors like student deposits help University of Maryland officials submit a services budget to the governor and state legislature for funds. Regardless of whether students end up attending the university, the state funds received ultimately determine the price of tuition that the university implements for students. When the state appropriation reduces, tuition increases. Past tuition fees show that in-state students have not been as affected by the increases as out-of-state students.

Between 2006 and 2010, the university’s annual in-state tuition and fees stayed consistent at $6,566 dollars. Last year fees increased to $6,966 and have gone up about $2,632 or 61% in the last ten years.  The tuition rate for out-of-state undergraduate students, who pay three times what Maryland residents pay, has steadily increased 96% in 10 years with last year’s fees at $24,337, according to a yearly summary chart provided by the university Administration building. The university hopes its academic distinction and programs help compensate for the increased cost.

Diane Hou, sophomore criminal justice major from New Jersey, believes that the university needs to do more to suppress high tuition for out-of-state students.

“It’s expensive to go anywhere out-of-state nowadays. Maryland offers me one of the best, if not the top, criminal justice programs in the United States. But is it all really worth the $27,287.92 in tuition, excluding living costs, food, and textbooks? No. It is a financial burden, especially to families with more than one child like mine.”

For some out-of-state students, the opportunities and programs that the university provides do compensate for the rising costs.

Junior broadcast journalism major Nick Leimbach transferred to UMD from San Diego State University in California because of the opportunities and professionalism he felt he could not receive from his hometown. “My classes are taught by former professional NPR and Washington Post reporters. I see the value of my education and I get the bang for the buck,” he said. Leimbach also referenced the close metropolitan area and numerous clubs as valuable. “There’s so many things you can do here,” he said.

Platky believes the tuition UMD offers is reasonable for students looking to attend an out-of-state institution. He says out-of-state students only make up 25% of the student population but bring in the most revenue. However, if the trend of increasing tuition continues, students will choose to attend schools in their state and the department will have to ask for more state money and increase tuition fees in order to make up for the lost earnings. Platky hopes the programs and incentives the university provides will keep students coming back each semester.