Despite tuition hikes, state universities are cheapest in Big 12

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- In-state tuition at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University has nearly tripled in the last 10 years but the cash-strapped schools are still the cheapest in the

Sunday, February 9th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- In-state tuition at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University has nearly tripled in the last 10 years but the cash-strapped schools are still the cheapest in the Big 12.

Students pay an average of $2,929 per year in tuition and fees at Oklahoma and $3,025 at Oklahoma State.

The Big 12 average is about $3,900.

University of Missouri has the highest tuition and fees for a public university in the Big 12 conference with an average of $5,552 per year.

While Oklahoma's two largest universities are a bargain, they both face major budget shortfalls.

OU expects a $19-million hole in next year's budget, while OSU expects to be about $11-million short.

Legislation has been introduced to allow state regents to increase tuition. Officials say the final amount probably wouldn't exceed the Big 12 average.