Education Officials Say State College Costs Are A Bargain

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State higher education officials say the cost of attending college in Oklahoma is a bargain despite the rising cost of tuition and fees.  In a 92-page report to state lawmakers the education officials say the costs in Oklahoma are below the costs of similar colleges in this region.

Tuition and fees are up by an average of 8.6 % this year or about $260 for each student.

Higher education officials say the costs are going up because state lawmakers haven't provided enough money to keep up with the growth of the institutions.

Tuition and fees currently range from an average of just over $2,400 per year at a community college to $5,549 at the University of Oklahoma.