In June, Oregon’s seven public universities asked the state for permission to raise tuition—effective this fall—by as much as 13.5 percent. To make the case, they pointed to decreases in enrollment and state funding as well as higher payroll and employee benefit expenses. The state balked, capping tuition hikes at just under 10 percent. It’s still sticker shock for Oregon undergrads—who last year paid $436 more than the national average for tuition and fees.

7

Percent change nationally, over the past five years, in average in-state tuition and fees at four-year public universities, according to the National Center for Education Statistics

14

Percent change in Oregon, over the past five years, in average in-state tuition and fees

13.5

Percent by which Southern Oregon University officials hoped to increase tuition for the 2019–2020 academic year

9.9

Percent by which SOU will actually raise tuition, after pushback from the state

5.9

Average percent  by which Oregon’s seven public universities will increase tuition for the 2019–2020 academic year

$9,579

Estimated 2019–2020 annual in-state tuition and fees at Portland State University (a hike of 6.7 percent)

$1,263

Additional amount PSU recommends for 2019–2020 textbooks and supplies

$26,867

Average total student loan debt accrued by PSU’s undergraduate class of 2017, according to Peterson’s College Data