The board of Clatsop Community College has decided to boost tuition fees by $3 a credit hour beginning with the summer 2025 term.

ASTORIA — Clatsop Community College students will soon see an increase in tuition.

Last week, the college’s Board of Education approved an increase from $125 to $128 per credit, effective beginning with the summer term. College President Jarrod Hogue said the increase is intended to help the college keep up with rising operational costs while maintaining student programs and support services.

“We just want it to be a thoughtful consideration of our costs and what tuition should be at the college,” Hogue said.

Across the board, the college has seen increases in costs, from labor and utilities to IT infrastructure and software licenses. Hogue said he believes tuition should follow the cost of doing business — and the best indicator for that, he said, is the Consumer Price Index. The additional $3 in tuition represents a roughly 2.5% increase, which falls in line with the annual inflation rate under that indicator.

Despite the increase, Hogue said Clatsop Community College is still in the middle when it comes to tuition rates at Oregon community colleges.

“The board was very reluctant, which I understand and which I actually applaud them for, because, I mean, no one wants to see tuition go up,” he said. “But I think the 2.5% is modest, at least based on our Consumer Price Index.”

The college has increased tuition several times over the past 10 years. The most recent increase was in fall 2024, when tuition rose $9 per credit. The college also increased tuition the two academic years before that.

“We’re just trying to have regular, predictable tuition increases so that we can make sure that we’re continuing to offer the services in a thoughtful way,” Hogue said.

Hogue said tuition makes up about 20% of the college’s budget. Other funding sources include property taxes and state appropriations. He estimates the increase will bring in between $60,000 and $65,000 for the college — funds that will primarily be used to maintain existing programs.

Although the change is relatively small, he acknowledged the added expense it presents for students. He encouraged students to take advantage of resources like the Oregon Promise Grant, a state program that helps cover tuition costs at Oregon community colleges for recent high school graduates.

The Clatsop Community College Foundation also offers a variety of support to students — not just through scholarships, but also through programs like its food pantry, clothing closet and Magic Opportunity Fund.

“Thirty-six dollars, if you’re a full-time student, is not a huge increase, but it’s not something we take lightly,” Hogue said. “It’s an area we need to keep an eye on and not to put too much of the burden on students.”