Compare tutition, sure as long as they compare incomes as well. Boren made the comment that he hopes the legislature gives education more money next year so such increases will not be necessary... It seems just a few years ago higher ed got a record budget breaking the billion dollar mark... and yet tuition STILL went up over 7%. Face it, the higher ed mafia in this state won't stop until they bankrupt the students and every other agency. Let them raise tuition 25% next year, what will be their excuse for 2010 when Oklahoma universities are equal to or greater then the rest of the Big 12... Every other state agency has managed to make due without massive funding increases, terll me why universities are the only ones that increase tuition at 2-4 times the rate of inflation EVERY YEAR, get more money from the state just about every year and still claims to not have enough...

Time to get some perspective - colleges and universities across the US are increasing tuition to cope with increasing costs such as employee health care and operating costs. Thus, this isn't an Oklahoma only phenomenon. I just wish papers like the Oklahoman would do a bit of research to compare such hikes, not only with other Big 12 schools, but schools (public and private) across the country. The bottom line is that most Oklahoma schools are still a steal of a deal compared to other states.

Just making it harder and harder for middle class to afford college! SAD!