Because of an epidemic of suffering state economies, tuition rates at public colleges and universities continually rise across the nation, and Illinois and NIU are by no means surviving the economic battle unscathed.

According to a report on college affordability by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization, tuition rates rose 9 percent for the 2002-2003 school year at Illinois’ four-year public colleges and universities.

At the same time, the amount of state financial aid offered to students dropped 10 percent, and the amount of money provided for institutions of higher education by the state has been cut by $176 million, according to a report by the Illinois State Board of Education.

Eddie Williams, executive vice president and chief of operations of NIU’s Finance and Facilities, said NIU’s tuition rose 8.75 percent from the 2001-2002 school year to this year.

Williams said NIU’s Board of Trustees determines how much the university’s tuition will increase each year. The decision is a reflection of how much financial support NIU receives from the state, along with faculty salary increases, staff necessities, the number of students and the needs of various programs all taken into account.

Williams attributes budget cuts forced on schools by states to Sept. 11, 2001.

“Revenues have been down since 9/11, and all states are looking at tremendous deficits because of a decrease in purchases, travel, tourism and all other sources of income,” he said.

While Illinois is in economic trouble, it fares better than several other states in the nation.

According to the 2002 State-by-State Report Card for Higher Education, which ranks each of the 50 states in the categories of affordability, preparation, participation, completion and benefits, Illinois received a B in the affordability of its higher education institutions.

This is a positive ranking when compared to the D’s given to both Massachusetts and Texas, as well as to several other states in the same category.

Even though NIU has suffered about $13 million in budget cuts by the state, the school’s tuition is similar to the tuition of most other Illinois public colleges and universities.

NIU’s in-state tuition and fees for a 16-credit-hour student amount to about $4,970 for the 2002-2003 school year, Williams said.

Illinois State University would charge the same student $4,857.10, and Eastern Illinois University would charge $4,647, according to the Web sites of the two schools.

NIU’s tuition for the 2003-2004 school year has not yet been set .

Williams said the board might not decide on the new rate until this May or June.

“We’re praying the economy will bounce back,” Williams said. “It’s the commitment of the [university’s] president and Board of Trustees to keep tuition rates as low as possible, but if we’re faced with more cuts, we’re going to have trouble.”