BENTON HARBOR – During its April meeting, the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees approved tuition and fees for the 2010-2011 academic year.

This action marks the first increase in tuition or fee rates for in-district students since 2006.

In 2007, LMC increased tuition and fees for students who live outside its taxpaying district of Berrien County, Covert Township and South Haven Public School District.

In 2008, the college moved from a credit hour structure to one based on the number of contact hours, a change that impacted only a portion of LMC classes.

“We commend the college for striving to keep tuition rates stable over the past few years. It’s never an easy decision for this board to increase what we charge our students. However, we have to balance that with the need to maintain quality and move the college forward in the programs and services we are offering to this region,” stated LMC Board Chairman Pat Moody.

Per contact hour tuition rates will be $77 for in-district students, a $4.50 increase; $114 for in-state students, a $6 increase; $149 for out-of-state students, a $7 increase; and $163 for international students, a $21 increase.

In addition, the technology fee will increase $1 per contact hour to $9.

“We understand the pressures this economy is putting on our students, and that’s why we’ve worked so hard to hold the line on increases,” stated President Robert Harrison.
“However, as we look forward to the financial factors we will face in the upcoming year, this modest increase is necessary to insure that we can continue to provide the high quality education that our students deserve, and maintain the investment in our four campus facilities.”

Harrison went on to add that LMC remains one of the most affordable higher education options available to students within Michigan.

LMC students can save, on average, $17,000 in tuition, fees, room and board on the first two years of a bachelor’s degree compared to public universities in the state.