CCAC Holds Line on Tuition

The Board of Trustees of the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) has approved a 2009-10 budget of nearly $111 million that does not call for a tuition increase. Tuition for Allegheny County residents is $85.25 per credit. CCAC spokesman David Hoovler called it a lean budget that is careful "to keep to the essentials of education for our students" and also focuses on some strategic initiatives including supporting Information Technology Services and expanding the Washington County Center. CCAC has seen a 3% enrollment increase over last spring. Spokesman Hoovler says that is due in part to more students seeking a more reasonably priced higher education and workers who have lost jobs coming to CCAC to gain new skills. Hoovler says it's very important in this economic downturn not to raise tuition. He says their enrollment tends to be counter cyclical...when the economy is up.....enrollment is lower and when the economy is down....enrollment is up.