Counting every penny
A comparison of tuition rates and fees

-- Carin Mangimeli

It’s the beginning of a semester, which for many students means new books, new supplies and a hefty tuition payment. With the inevitable money drain that is the holiday season still fresh in our minds and the perpetual state of the thrifty student, some students may question the extra charges on their tuition bill ambiguously labeled student activity fees.

The tuition bill students receive from Metropolitan State is usually broken done into the following categories:

• Under Grad Tuition (usually resident or nonresident)–$156.04/$303.69 per credit respectively;
• Online Internet Courses– $205.39 for both resident and nonresident;
• MSUSA fee–$0.39 per credit;
• nAcademic Computing Tech Fee–$5 a credit (the fees for the student use of the computers on campus and only up to 16 credits); and
• Student Activity Fee–$3 per credit (up to 16 credits).

According to the Office of Student Life and Leadership Development, the student activity fee has remained the same–$3 a credit–for at least five years. The process of setting the fees falls to the Student Activity Fees Advisory Committee (SAFAC) of the Metropolitan State Student Senate. The committee reviews the fees, the amounts and to whom the distributions are made. It then presents their recommendations to the full Student Senate, which reviews the recommendations, makes decisions and creates budgets. However, ultimately, the final review and approval is made by the administration. Once a decision on a fee has been made, it is not normally addressed again unless there is a movement to change them.

The fees paid by Metropolitan State University student go to fund the Student Life and Leadership Development Office (which includes the University Activities Board) and all of the registered student organizations (such as Metro Theatre Underground, Student Senate, International Student Organization, and the Metropolitan newspaper and more).

"Because the Student Activity Fees amount is dependent on the number of enrollment, the actual amount varies from fiscal year to fiscal year,” said Student Life and Leadership Development Director YeeLeng Hang. “However, the average SAFAC fees from FY[fiscal year] 02-06 is $421,314. Every penny has gone back to the students via the registered student organization and my office."

Overall, Metropolitan State University’s tuition and fees are ranked very affordable in comparison to the other local colleges.

Concordia’s undergrad tuition is $888 for over six credits, with a technology fee that ranges from $100-400 per credit (other fees are not delineated). The University of St. Thomas charges $715 per credit for undergrad non-business day classes and $613 per credit for evening classes,lab fees range from $80-141.50; technology fees from $31.50-$120, with student activity fees from $17-81. Additional fees are charged for tutoring, practicum or internships and off-campus study. None of these fees include room or board.

The College of St. Catherine undergrad tuition rate is $702 per credit for their day programs and $375 for their weekend programs, with student activity fees of $125 per semester and $35 per term, respectively. University of Minnesota’s undergrad students pay a flat rate of $3,570 for over 13 credits per term and a a student services fee of $290.82 for over six credits with technolog fees and other fees of up to $690.

Hamline University has a tuition rate of $23,130 and a flat rate of $255 for student activity fees.

Fellow MnSCU colleges charge more than Metropolitan State University. Minnesota State University–Mankato has an undergrad tuition of $187.25 per credit up to 11 credits; for 12-18 credits, it is a flat rate of $2,341. Any credits over 18 are prorated. Student fee are $29.89 per credit up to 11 credits, with a flat rate of $360 for 12-18 credits. A 39- cent charge is added per credit for 18+.

St. Cloud University comes closest to Metropolitan State University’s fees, charging students $185.65 per credit for on-campus courses and $192.50 for off-campus courses. Student activity fees are $24.41 per credit up to 12 credits and an additional $1.39 per credit for over 12 credits. All of these rates increase for nonresidents.

To the money-conscious student, $3 per credit may seem a lot to pay for organizations they may or may not be a part of, but it is obvious that rates could be much higher. Overall, it is a small price to pay for the community and experiences Metropolitan State University’s student organizations and Student Life and Leadership Development Office provides.