SUNY should charge more for out-of-state students

To the Editor:

As someone who has devoted almost my entire professional career to college finance, I am disturbed by the recent legislation that was passed by the State of New York under the so-called “rational tuition plan.”

 The bill authorizes all of SUNY’s four-year colleges and universities to boost tuition by $300 annually for five years. This would raise tuition from about $5,000 now to about $6,500 after five years.  

I have no problem with this, as it is a modest increase. However, what is not mentioned is the incredibly low tuition that is paid by out-of-state students who attend SUNY colleges. They currently pay $12,870 for tuition, or a little more than twice as much as a New York state resident. However, when New York state residents attend an out-of-state public school, they are charged much more.  

For example, if a New York state resident attends Penn State University, the tuition is over $26,000. The University of Michigan charges out-of-state students $38,000; the University of Virginia, $31,000; the University of Vermont, $32,000. Please know that these costs do not include room and board, which are generally the same for all students.  

I have never understood why New York is so generous in providing a wonderful education at our best schools to non-resident students at such a low cost. These spots could certainly be given to our own residents who are not able to afford expensive private universities or state schools in other states. It appears that New York can no longer afford to subsidize the rest of the country as far as education costs are concerned. We should insist that the State of New York drastically raise tuition rates for out-of-state students who contribute no tax money and are taking advantage of our generosity. I am not aware of any responses from any state legislators or the governor on this issue.

 Barry Fox,

with Shannon Sullivan

President, Barry Fox College

Finance, Inc. Merrick