CCU raises tuition for second consecutive year

Coastal Carolina University’s board approved a tuition increase Friday that will affect in-state and out-of-state students.

As expected, the board approved a 3 percent hike for in-state students that will amount to $155 more per semester. Out-of-state students will see their tuition rise by 3.2 percent or $380.

Board chairman Wyatt Henderson said that while the increase gives trustees “heartburn,” it is necessary. This is the second straight year the school has raised tuition.

“Sometimes,” he said, “with the cost of doing business, we have no choice.”

Henderson noted that before last year the school’s rates stayed flat for two years. During that time, he said, Coastal’s expenses increased.

Along with the undergraduate hikes, graduate tuition is going up by 3.2 percent. For in-state students, that means $17 more per credit hour. It amounts to an extra $30 per hour for their out-of-state peers.

Although campus housing costs will remain the same, the price of the unlimited meal plan is jumping by $125 per semester. School officials said their food provider, Aramark, will charge students more because Coastal wants to provide meals during fall and spring breaks. They said some students don’t go home during that time and need to eat on campus.

Kenneth Peeples, a junior English major from North Charleston, said he’d already planned to get a job in the fall to help cover his bills. With the price of the meal plan and tuition rising, he said that sealed his decision.

Peeples suspects other students will share his concern.

“[I’m] taking out student loans,” he said. “That would be too much.”

Charles D. Perry, cperry@thesunnews.com

This story was originally published May 8, 2015 at 6:09 PM with the headline "CCU raises tuition for second consecutive year."