Tuition fees continue to rise year after year across the United States, and Iowa public universities are no different.
The Des Moines Register reported that mandatory fees have increased 53 percent over the last 10 years at Iowa's three public universities.
The fees cover two areas: technology- where they go toward salaries for staff to maintain equipment and other duties and toward recreation centers, which range from climbing walls to machines, according to the Register.
The fees have quietly added up over the years, and provided quite a shock to parents and students alike.
According to the article findings, students at the University of Iowa can expect to spend $1,379 in mandatory fees. Students at the Iowa State will spend $1,077.60 and University of Northern Iowa Students will spend $987.
The Register reported there is no easy way for parents and students to find out about the scope of mandatory fees during college.
Kurt B.
8:08 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
This is a way around raising tuition, but it is just another way of continuing to increase the cost of going to college. Same thing as what the towns do with their franchise fees, storm water fees, water heater inspection fees, you name it. We have too many fees and the colleges have too high tuition ( and other associated fees ).
Proud UNI Grad
9:06 am on Monday, September 17, 2012
I think so, but that doesn't mean they aren't warranted or are just a way to hide some kind of gouging. Everyone wants more amenities but no one wants to have to pay for them. Kind of the general theme of our society right now, too.
Jack F
4:51 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012
Yes, every time a gov agency decides to charge more instead of cutting spending it is the same as raising taxes or tuition. They should charge tuition for what it costs to educate not add a bunch of fees like mandatory "activity" fees. I still can't believe they were skimming from full paying students and then funneling these funds to students from out of state. Now they will raise fees to make up for what they lost with their hand in the cookie jar. If it looks like crap and smells like crap then you have an answere.
B.A. Morelli
10:26 pm on Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Not all fees are a way around increasing tuition, at least not directly. For example, at University of Iowa students pay $243 under the label of a recreation fee. Most of that money pays down debt on the campus recreation center, which is a $60 million building that opened a few years ago. It's basically an on-campus health club that is free for students (after the mandatory fee). You might argue that the center is a way to attract students, which in turn increases tuition revenue, but it doesn't directly replace tuition money.