By Melissa Dunson

mdunson@joplinglobe.com

MIAMI, Okla. — Despite a 6.8 percent tuition increase that just went through last week, officials are noting that Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami will still be one of the most affordable schools in the state and the surrounding area during the 2008-09 school year.

During a Board of Regents meeting last week, the community college received the OK to raise its rates from $76.18 a credit hour to $81.73. But that still ranks NEO as the third cheapest school in the state, according to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Tuition and fees for out-of-state students will increase 8.7 percent from $192.03 a credit hour to $208.73.

Christen Stark, director of public relations and marketing for NEO, said the school regrets that the rates have to go up at all, but officials are trying to keep costs low by making do with existing departmental resources.

“In an era where tuition is going up and up, it’s a priority to keep tuition to where people can afford it,” Stark said. “Realistically, people need to have a college education in today’s world. So, there are some things (NEO) is trying to do without.”

The only Oklahoma schools still cheaper than NEO were Northern Oklahoma College at $76.75 a credit hour, and Carl Albert State College at $75 a credit hour.

Students are other area colleges and universities also are facing tuition increases.

Pittsburg (Kan.) State University is raising its per credit rates this fall by 5.8 percent. The school charges one tuition rate for all students taking 12 hours or more. The boost this year is the smallest hike in four years, officials said.

Missouri Southern State University in Joplin is rolling out an $8, or almost 6 percent, increase per credit hour, from $135 to $143 an hour. But even with the increase, Missouri Southern’s rates will remain below the costs of Missouri’s 12 other four-year colleges.

Crowder College recently raised its in-district tuition from $65 to $68 a credit hour. The out-of-district rate will go from $91 to $95 an hour, and out-of-state tuition will go from $118 to $123 an hour.

Stark at NEO said schools across the United States are facing the same problems in keeping costs low.

She said high-school-graduation rates are low and college-enrollment rates are flat if not dipping at the same time that fuel and utility costs are skyrocketing.

“(Low tuition) is always a priority, and I realize every college is going to say that, but we try to talk the talk and walk the walk,” she said.