THEC Recommends 7 Percent Tuition Increase

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is recommending a tuition increase of at least 7 percent at state universities and a minimum of 5 percent at community colleges and technology centers.

The commission made the recommendations at a meeting on Thursday.

Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan said outside the meeting that the hikes are based on an estimated 1 percent cut that higher education may have to take this year.

He said the commission could change its recommendation if that cut is more or less.

The commission also approved a key component of the state's Complete College Act. The new funding formula is based on student retention and graduation rates instead of on the number of students enrolled.