The San Jacinto College Board of Trustees approved a tuition increase set to take effect at the beginning of the fall semester. The decision was made at the March 31 Board meeting.

According to a released statement, the College said the increase aims to help the school system provide the best possible experience for current and prospective students.

“To ensure your degree or certificate from San Jacinto College remains valuable,” the release stated, “we must initiate programs that will help our students successfully complete and move on to a university or into the workforce.”

This fall, in-district students will see a $4 increase per credit hour, resident out-of-district students $5 and non-resident students will see an $8 increase in rates. Additionally, the Board approved internal and external fees for exams related to Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) and an increase in the exemption for dual credit and early college high school students from 55% to 70%.

Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer said, in an email distributed to College employees, the dual credit exemption hopes to strengthen the College’s commitment “to partner with our independent school districts to instill a college-going culture and mindset early in the education process.”

The College’s statement indicated the rise in tuition rates will not affect San Jac’s status as one of the more economical options for higher learning in the Greater Houston area.

“it is important for students to know that San Jacinto College tuition and fees,” the statement noted, “remain lower than the majority of community colleges across the State of Texas and in the Gulf Coast region. San Jacinto College continues to be one of the best values for your education.”

This is the first tuition hike since 2012.

– Bradley Croman contributed to this report