UCC raises tuition, still one of the lowest tuition rates in Oregon
Written by Press Release on April 21, 2022
Roseburg, Ore., – The Umpqua Community College Board of Directors has voted to raise tuition per credit from $104 to $109 for the 2022-23 school year, which for most students will be covered by increases in state and federal grant programs. The 4.8 percent increase falls well below the national inflation rate of 8.5 percent and UCC will still have one of the lowest tuition costs in the state.
To help balance this and future increases, UCC will allow full-time students to freeze their tuition rate for up to three years from the time of their initial payment.
“This is a really encouraging proposal where students will get more bang for their buck. I’m proud that UCC is able to keep the increase well below the price hikes we are seeing in the economy at large,” said board member David Littlejohn.
Tuition will increase to $115 per credit, in 2023-2024, and to $120 per credit in 2024-2025. Additional cost savings programs will include access to online textbooks to reduce book purchasing requirements that can be expensive and expanded access to UCC Foundation scholarship support.
“UCC will focus on adding value to students. Price is only an issue in the absence of value and UCC is a place where education and training can lead to sustained and increased job opportunities and wages,” said UCC President Rachel Pokrandt.
Around 92 percent of UCC full-time students take advantage of financial aid covering many of the out-of-pocket college costs. In the 2021 academic year, UCC students received more than $6.4M in financial aid that does not have to be repaid, including federal and state funding for the Oregon Opportunity Grant, Oregon Promise, and the federal Pell grant, all of which are set to increase for the 2022-2023 academic year.
“We will continue our mission to provide high-quality, affordable education to those looking to invest in their futures,” Pokrandt added. “UCC serves as a valuable resource within our community, helping families secure living-wage careers and addressing the need for local in-demand jobs. We are pleased to offer a tuition guarantee program and other cost-savings programs while staying fiscally responsible to a balanced budget.”
UCC is also making the following additional investments in student success:
Increased tutoring and academic supports in the form of a student success center.
Improved student access to programs through a broader offering of class times and classroom/online options.
Upgraded software that will make it easier to navigate the college’s web-based systems.
New programs that lead to family-wage supporting jobs in key fields like advanced manufacturing and medical careers.
Visit umpqua.edu/tuition-guarantee for more information.
