MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave Community College board members voted this month not to increase tuition for Arizona residents, leaving it at the same level it has been since the 2015. This means the in-state base tuition rate will remain $81 per credit hour for the 2023-2024 school year, one of the most affordable in the state’s higher education system.
Board members acknowledged the operating costs of the college have risen and noted students and businesses in the district are also facing increased costs.
“Our local students are struggling financially too,” said Board Member Ashley Pascual. “Although we have not increased tuition in seven years, I’m not comfortable with an increase for them at this current time.”
Other board members agreed and said they would prefer to revisit the matter of a small tuition increase for in-state students at a later time.
“I lean toward a gradual step increase starting with out-of-state students this year and then we can look at in-state tuition if the economy improves, but I’m not in favor of raising tuition right now for our Mohave County students,” said Board Member Susan McAlpine.
The board voted to increase tuition for non-Arizona residents by $10.50 per credit, along with adjustments in student fees. It’s estimated the out of state tuition increase would raise approximately $35,000 the college could use toward the development of new or expanded programs and services that align with the Academic Master Plan (AMP).
Along with expanding the College’s current list of certificate and degree programs, the AMP includes the expansion of noncredit workforce training courses to teach skills that local business and industry leaders say are needed. However, those new noncredit courses are not currently included in the state’s funding formula for community colleges.
The board commended college employees for continuing to lower costs for students by implementing more Open Educational Resources (OER), which are free or low-cost alternatives to textbooks and educational materials.
The college is currently signing students up for summer and fall semester classes. Summer semester begins May 22, fall semester starts August 14. It is free to apply to become a student at MCC, where all students are accepted and receive complimentary student success services such as 24/7 tutoring, assistance with life challenges, and mental health therapy. More information is available online at Mohave.edu or by visiting one of the four campuses throughout the county. The college toll free phone number is 1-866-MOHAVECC (866-664-2832).