The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) recently approved a 4.4-percent increase in tuition for in-state students, for the 2013-14 academic year.

According to Rappahannock Community College spokesperson Tom Martin, the increase will allow the VCCS to expand its science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health science programs.

The percentage of courses taught by full-time faculty will also increase, from 45 to 47.5 percent, and employees will receive higher salaries as well as more funding to offset health insurance costs.

Martin said the step up will bring the in-state tuition and mandatory fees rate to $130 per credit hour, which is $5.50 more than the previous rate.

A typical three-hour class will cost $390, up from $373.50, and a full semester’s class load (15 credit hours) will rise from $1,867.50 to $1,950. Out-of-state tuition will go up by the same amount, for a total of $324.60 per credit hour.
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