College isn’t cheap, and though attending an in-state institution may save students money, tuitions can vary drastically.
In a recent study by U.S. News & World Report, Fort Lewis College ranked as the least expensive public college in Colorado at $7,252 in tuition and fees in 2014-15 for state residents. It ranked only public colleges reporting data to its publication.
At least one other college, Metro State University, whose in-state tuition and fees are $6,070 a year, was not included in the report.
The most expensive state college is the Colorado School of Mines, with $16,918 in tuition and annual fees, according to the report.
Mitch Davis, FLC spokesman, said the college strives to balance providing a top-of-the-line education with affordable tuition.
A large portion of the student body is first-generation college students or come from low-income families, Davis said.
For instance, 39 percent of students are eligible for Pell grants, meaning they have the greatest financial need, he said. Including other students who have some level of financial need, the number increases to 47 percent of the student body.
FLC also has doubled its number of scholarships, grants and athletic awards for students during the last five years, Davis said. The college, he said, receives funding from three primary sources: tuition, state funding and grants and private fundraising.
“When we look at state funding, we’re not only looking at the upcoming year,” Davis said. “We’re also trying to get an idea of what state funding might be a decade from now and determine if we need to start making decisions now to make sure we’re where we need to be in the future.”
“State funding is incredibly important for an institution like Fort Lewis College,” he said. “Our new Geosciences, Physics and Engineering Building that we’re currently building would not be happening without state support.”
Science, engineering and physics are among the programs with rapid growth and post-college success, he said.
“Engineering alumni, in particular, have an employment rate of well over 90 percent once they graduate,” Davis said.
vguthrie@durangoherald.com
An earlier version of this story did not mention that U.S. News and World Report ranked only public colleges reporting data to its publication.
On the Net
Fort Lewis College’s Office of Admissions educates students about the most financially efficient ways to attend the school.
Tips can be found at www.fortlewis.edu/Home/Cost/AffordabilityatFLC.aspx
