RALEIGH — Richmond County’s state senator wants to charge out-of-state students more to attend two of North Carolina’s most prestigious universities in order to lower the costs for residents of the Tar Heel State.
Sen. Tom McInnis introduced a bill on Tuesday that would raise non-resident tuition “at least” $5,000 more than that of in-state students for N.C. State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The tuition receipts generated by the increase — estimated at $31.5 million — would be used to save state residents around $900, according to McInnis’ office.
“I brought this bill forward to support our North Carolina students and parents who work, scrimp and save to send their children to the flagship public universities of our state,” McInnis said in a statement. “With student debt being one of the worst outcomes of a college education, we as the General Assembly must do everything within our power to reduce the burdens of the high cost of higher education.”
According to U.S. News and World Report, which ranks UNC as the nation’s eighth-best institution in value and 30th overall, that school’s in-state tuition is $8,896 per semester.
Non-resident students have to shell out $35,169. If McInnis’ bill passes the legislature and the governor, out-of state students would have to pay $40,000.
N.C. State costs residents $9,101 per semester and non-residents $28,444. It is ranked the 55th best college in value and is tied for 80th overall.
The bill also allows the UNC Board of Governors to charge graduate teach or research assistants a lower rate, as long as it’s not lower than tuition for state residents.
Senate Bill 351 is currently in the hands of the Senate Rules Committee.
