MAYVILLE, N.D. - In a split vote Thursday, the state Board of Higher Education approved a significant tuition increase for the University of North Dakota School of Law.
UND officials asked to increase and restructure tuition to maintain the quality and retain faculty.
Dean Paul LeBel said UND's law tuition is significantly less than other law schools and would remain one of the nation's most affordable even with the increase.
In a letter to the board, Jordan Schuetzle, president of the Student Bar Association, said students are concerned that the tuition increases will force UND graduates to look out of state for higher-paying jobs.
Board members voted 5-3 to approve the request. New law students will see four consecutive increases of 15 percent starting this fall.
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Annual tuition for a North Dakota resident attending full time would go from $6,069 to $10,620.
Current law students will see smaller increases.
Board members Nate Martindale, Grant Shaft and Duaine Espegard, all of Grand Forks, opposed the increase.
The tuition increase needs approval from the Legislature's Budget Section.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Amy Dalrymple at (701) 241-5590
