EUGENE, Ore. — The Lane Community College (LCC) Board of Education unanimously approved a proposal to increase student tuition by 4 percent applied to both resident and non-resident tuition rates. This increases the current tuition rate of $139 per credit hour to $145 per credit hour.
The tuition increase aligns with the preliminary 2023 Higher Education Price Index (HEPI) increase of 4.0 percent, ensuring the institution's financial planning is in step with broader economic trends affecting the higher education sector. This adjustment is expected to keep the institution's competitive standing unchanged against other Oregon Community College institutions, based on preliminary indications.
“We are deeply committed to maintaining the delicate balance between providing exceptional education and ensuring it remains accessible. This tuition adjustment, while modest, is crucial for sustaining the quality and breadth of our offerings. It's about securing the future of our students and institution alike,” said Board Chair Austin Folnagy.
Newly appointed President of the Student Government Association Shalynn Buys, representing student voices at the Board of Education meeting, spoke in support of the increase after discussions with several other students. Since September of 2023, students have a non-voting student member on the board, who participates in discussions at board meetings.
As a part of these discussions, the decision to adjust tuition rates was driven by a careful consideration of several key factors, including the need to minimize the impact on student costs, the necessity of maintaining a sufficient increase to offset operating costs, and the strategic positioning of the institution within the competitive landscape of higher education.
Lane Community College educates over 15,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $675 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 8,900 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.