STLCC Holds Line on Tuition for 2022-23

At a time when most families are concerned about the rising cost of gas, groceries, health care, loans, and many essentials, add the cost of college tuition to the list.

Inside Higher Education points out that after two years of flat or no tuition increases due to the coronavirus pandemic, many colleges and universities across the country are pushing tuition up for academic year 2022-23. It also reports that community colleges nationwide, including nearly all in Missouri, have upped tuition increases this year to offset flat or declining enrollment, budget shortfalls and rising inflation.

St. Louis Community College is the exception to that list among Missouri two-year institutions. STLCC’s tuition remains unchanged for 2022-23, and continues to be an affordable option for college-bound students, those seeking a career change or skills upgrade, or simply to learn something new.

STLCC’s tuition for fall 2022 is $122 per credit hour for district residents, $171 per credit hour for in-state and other Missouri residents, $233 for out-of-state residents, and $243 for international students. STLCC has partnered with the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) to offer Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin residents in-state tuition rates.

North Central College is the only other Missouri community college that did not increase tuition for in-district residents, but did up out-of-district and out-of-state tuition.

Jacob Nickerson now attends STLCC-Wildwood after rethinking his education options during the pandemic in 2020. Then a student at The University of Kansas, Nickerson chose not to return to Lawrence, Kan., since courses would be online. He opted to take courses at STLCC to save money.

“With everything online anyway, I decided to focus on earning an associate degree in network engineering,” he said. “After a couple of classes, I was engaged in the coursework and enjoying the fact that I was saving money while learning a lot.”

The College’s financial situation improved with the passage of Proposition R in 2021, an eight-cent tax levy increase that provides funds that allow STLCC to keep pace with essential facility and program enhancements, as well as keep programs affordable for students.