Va. community college costs to rise

Students at Virginia's community colleges will see tuition and fees rise by at least $7.50 per credit hour for the 2010-2011 school year.

In-state students at almost all state community colleges will pay $107.50 per credit hour, up 7.5 percent from $100. An in-state student taking 30 credit hours over two semesters at typical two-year schools would pay about $225 more for the academic year, or $3,225.

The State Board of Community Colleges set the rate Thursday. Tuition would have been an additional $2 more per credit hour had the board not voted to use federal stimulus funds to mitigate the increase.

The board also increased tuition differentials for Northern Virginia Community College and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College to $14.35 per credit hour and $2.10 per credit hour, respectively.

-- Associated Press