A Dickinson State University official said although its federal aid and student debt is becoming a bit lopsided, student tuition at DSU is still affordable and accessible.
Sandy Klein, director of financial aid for DSU, said the approximate breakdown of tuition and fees for the last five years are as follows: 2009-2010, $5,250; 2008-2009, $5,084; 2007-2008, $4,748; 2006-2007, $4,470; 2005-2006, $4,154.
Tuition and fees are a flat rate based on 12 or more credit hours.
Klein said the increases each year are a combination of both tuition and fees.
"The change really depends on a variety of different things," Klein said. "I think, compared to the rest of the nation, we are doing quite well."
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State higher education officials say tuition and fees at North Dakota's public colleges and universities went up at a rate much less than the national average.
They cite a new report from The College Board saying the average published price of in-state tuition and fees at public four-year colleges increased 6.5 percent for the 2009-2010 academic year and 7.3 percent at public two-year colleges.
University officials say that in North Dakota, four-year university in-state tuition and fees increased 3.5 percent, and two-year tuition and fees increased 0.8 percent.
Officials from the North Dakota University System said they were uncertain if the state has consistently held lower tuition and fees than other states in the U.S.
Chancellor Bill Goetz says the state is making use of its strong economy to help students hold down costs. He also says the university system budget includes $19 million for financial aid and $3 million for new scholarship programs.
An issue for DSU, Klein said, is that for the last 10 years, the university has received the same amount of federal aid.
"We're seeing our students getting farther in debt because the other federal programs aren't keeping up," Klein said. "The ratio -- grants to loans -- has really gotten lopsided."
To compare, Klein said total grants in 1984 were $607,000 and loans were $834,000. Last year, grants were over $2 million and loans were over $8 million.
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"Over the years, the loans have definitely gotten higher, with less from the federal government," Klein said. "We want to make sure we're available and affordable to all students."
-- The Associated Press contributed to this story
