Ozarks Tech seeks higher tuition amid flat state funding

Top officials at Ozarks Technical Community College have asked for tuition and fee increases to offset the flat state funding expected in fiscal year 2027.

The Ozarks Tech Board of Trustees is expected to vote March 11 on proposed increases of $4 per credit hour for most courses and $7 per credit hour for courses in technical education programs.

Under the proposal, the per-credit hour amount for in-district students will go up to the following amounts:

● $140 for Tier I, or general education, an increase of $4

● $153 for Tier II, or technical courses, an increase of $7

● $163 for Tier III, or allied health courses, an increase of $4

A year ago, the board approved tuition increases of $5 per credit hour for Tier I and Tier II and $6 for Tier III.

Chancellor Hal Higdon said the additional funding is needed. The college is working on its operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

“Without it, we’d be cutting positions and closing programs,” he said in a March 9 interview.

Last year, Ozarks Tech budgeted $51.8 million for tuition and fee revenue. With the proposed increase, based on flat enrollment, the college will generate an additional $3.9 million or a total tuition and fee revenue of $55.8 million.

“We never bank on an increase. We’ve had three years of ongoing, increasing enrollment, and looking at applications and other things for fall, we anticipate an increase,” said Higdon, noting fall 2025 enrollment was roughly 11,000 students. “But, we’re not budgeting for it.”

Higdon said “more than half” of the college’s revenue comes from tuition and fees. He said the proposed $4 increase correlates to the inflation level.

“We’re raising them right at the cost of inflation with the exception of Tier II, which is mostly tech ed, things like welding, automotive, etc. where our costs have escalated more,” he said. “It’s in keeping with what we have done in past years, knowing that we’re having flat funding from the state.”

The college proposed increasing four per-credit-hour fees by $1. If approved, fee amounts will go to $20 for technology, $17 for student fee, $4 for security fee and $5 for facilities and infrastructure.

The registration fee could go to $52 per semester, an increase of $2, and a new $1 student engagement fee would be created for the 2026-27 year, under the proposal.

A new orientation for college courses is also proposed for $15, but it would be optional.

“It’s not required for anyone, but it’s a great class for those first-time college students,” said Amy Bacon Peebles, chief of staff at Ozarks Tech. “When they’re meeting with their admissions counselor and navigator, they’re encouraged to take that class.”

The proposal calls for specific program fees to go up, based on the cost of materials or other factors.

Ozarks Tech offers its lowest tuition to residents of the school districts that are part of its taxing district. Students receive in-district tuition rates if they live in Ash Grove, Branson, Clever, Everton, Fordland, Hollister, Logan-Rogersville, Marshfield, Nixa, Ozark, Pleasant Hope, Republic, Springfield, Strafford, Walnut Grove and Willard.

Asked about pay raises for employees, Higdon said a proposal is expected to go before the board in April.