Tuition prices are going up for college students in Georgia for 27 universities and colleges due to a budget plan approved by the Georgia Board of Regents that increased the tuition rate by 2.5 percent.

The cost of tuition has increased annually for schools consistently for the last 12 years in Georgia.

Some schools like Georgia Institute of Technology saw high increases of $327 more for each semester, but schools like Bainbridge State College saw relatively low increases.

“This increase is the same amount we had last year,” Shawn McGee, Vice President of Business and Operations for Bainbridge State College said. “We were happy the board chose to keep the increase so low and we were very concerned about remaining an affordable solution for the students in our area and this lets us keep our status as one of the most affordable colleges in the country.”

Currently the tuition rate for in-state students at BSC is $1,298 per semester for full time students. That will increase to $1,330 in 2015. Per credit hour the tuition rate at BSC is $86.54 currently and will increase to $88.67 in 2015.

McGee said these changes will take place in the fall semester and will not affect students in the summer programs.

“It is just like everything else — phone bills go up, utilities, health insurance benefits go up so they have to increase tuition,” McGee said. “There has been a very broad concern to keep the tuition as small as possible while still being able to maintain a level of instruction and quality of education for our students.”

Out of state students currently pay a tuition rate of $4,911 at BSC and will pay $5,034 in the 2014-2015 school year per semester. Those same students pay $327.40 per credit hour and that will increase to $335.60 per credit hour.

McGee said parents and students who have questions about the increase should visit the Bainbridgestatecollege.com or call the student services office, (229) 248-2500.