Students At Oregon Public Schools Will Pay Lower Tuition Rates Than Expected

Students enrolled at Oregon's public universities will pay lower tuition starting next year. Funding approved by the Legislature in the September Special Session reduces and then freezes the tuition rates.

The State Board of Higher Education approved new tuition rates at all Oregon University System campuses. The new rates will take effect winter term of 2014.

This reduction comes from a combination of tax increases and twenty-five million dollars in additional funding for higher education.

Di Saunders is with the Oregon University System. She says that between the regular and special legislative sessions this is the second cut in tuition rates this year.

"And the average student will see about one hundred and fifty dollars in savings from both of those additions of investments in students. So we're really really happy and hoping this is the beginning of greater affordability for students in Oregon."

Overall, tuition has increased from the last academic year, but not as much as originally planned. And Saunders says now tuition rates will stay where they are.

This story originally appeared on Oregon Public Broadcasting.