Washington’s budget deficit could mean tuition hikes in the double digits next year for students at state colleges and universities.
Under a plan suggested by the Senate Higher Education Committee, tuition at two-year community colleges would rise 12 percent in the 2003 school year, while the cost of attending a four-year state university would increase 14 percent.
The figures are double of the current rate of tuition increases, and would mean that a University of Washington student would pay about $500 more per year to attend the school.
The full Legislature will take up the issue as part of the state budget process.