The University of Oklahoma wasn't the only university in the state to raise tuition and fees for next fall.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Thursday approved increases to tuition and mandatory fees for all of Oklahoma's 25 public colleges and universities.

On average, a full-time Oklahoma college student will pay $302 more next year for tuition. OU in-state undergraduate students will pay about $586 more.

OU and other Oklahoma higher education officials cited receiving legislative appropriations that were not sufficient to cover institutional operating costs.

"Even with the increases in tuition and fees, Oklahomans will still be paying less for a college education than their peers in other states," Chancellor Glen D. Johnson said in a press release. "This increase will allow our institutions to continue providing a top quality education and outstanding service to our students."

Tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students will increase an average of 9.1 percent statewide in fiscal year 2009.

The state's research universities, Oklahoma State University and OU, increased their tuition and mandatory fee rates by about 9.9 percent.

Other state universities have tuition increases that range from 6.4 percent at Langston University to 11.3 percent at Panhandle State University for in-state undergraduates.

Community colleges across the state have increased their in-state tuition rates ranging from 4.9 percent at Carl Albert State College to 9.9 percent at Redlands Community College.

Nonresident tuition also increased by about the same rate at state higher education institutions, but that translates into a higher actual increase.

Out-of-state students at OU and OSU will pay about $49 more per credit hour in tuition and mandatory fees. That compares to an increase of about $19 in tuition and mandatory fees per credit hour for in-state students.

Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com