BSC Cuts Tuition by One-Fourth for Out-of-State Students Residing in Border Counties

Bluefield State maintains lowest tuition of all public four-year colleges in West Virginia

Students living in out-of-state counties bordering West Virginia have just seen the annual tuition they'll pay at Bluefield State College drop by more than $2,000, beginning this fall. The WV Higher Education Policy Commission has approved a proposal submitted by the Bluefield State College Board of Governors to reduce tuition for border county residents from $7,760 per year ($3,880/semester) to $5,720 per year ($2,860/semester). That's a saving of more than 26%.

"This new 'metro rate' and the recent growth in housing options permit us to offer a very attractive package of features for students in 12 Virginia counties, including Tazewell, Bland, Giles, and Buchanan in Virginia, as well as four counties in Kentucky, and border counties in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland," noted John Cardwell, BSC's Interim Vice President for Student Affairs.

Bluefield State's in-state tuition for the 2006-07 year ($3,649 per year/$1,824.50/semester) is the most affordable among all public, four year colleges and universities in West Virginia. It's 11.4% lower than the average tuition among these colleges, and it represents an even greater savings when compared to regional private, accredited four-year college tuition levels.

"We have 14-nationally accredited programs of study, and each of our programs is designed to prepare students for a fulfilling, productive career where opportunities exist regionally and nationally," Cardwell continued. "We're excited because we've just become much more affordable for many out-of-state students who might have wanted to come here, but hesitated because of tuition."

Students from the following counties may qualify for the metro rate:

In Virginia—Tazewell, Bland, Giles, Buchanan, Craig, Alleghany, Bath, Highland, Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Roanoke, Botetourt, Wise, Dickenson, Lee, Scott, Russell, Washington, Smith, Wythe, Grayson, Carroll, Pulaski, Floyd, Rockbridge, and Montgomery;

In Kentucky—Pike, Martin, Lawrence, and Boyd;

In Ohio— Lawrence, Gallia, Meigs, Athens, Washington, Belmont, Monroe, Jefferson, and Columbiana;

In Maryland—Washington, Garrett, and Allegany, and;

In Pennsylvania—Beaver, Washington, Fayette, and Greene.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Admissions Office at (304) 327-4065 or email bscadmit@bluefieldstate.edu