A report from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shows that OU’s costs rank among the lowest within the Big 12 Conference, and that Oklahomans now have more help accessing higher education than ever before.

University Press Secretary Jay Doyle said OU ranked third lowest in resident tuition and second lowest in nonresident tuition in the Big 12 Conference.

“The Big 12 Conference’s average cost of tuition for 30 hours of coursework is $7,300 and OU’s is slightly lower than its peers,” said Ben Hardcastle, the State Regent’s director of communications.

He said OU’s average cost of tuition and fees for 30 hours of coursework for 2008-2009 was $6,493 for residents, and $16,474 for nonresidents.

Hardcastle said OU’s tuition rates are substantially lower than the other Big 12 school’s rates, with the exception of Baylor, which is a private university and is not included in the report.

The State Regents’ report indicated tuition and mandatory fees go up about $400 per year for a full-time resident student.

This year’s tuition was raised 9.9 percent, including a 2 percent salary increase for faculty and staff.

OU Vice President and Provost Nancy Mergler said the increase in tuition and mandatory fees coincides with the ever-increasing cost of providing competitive salaries and benefits for faculty and staff.

She said, however, that rising utility costs, limited state allocations and the weakening economy have also forced tuition and fee increases.

State-wide, Oklahomans have received more help in affording higher education as institutions have increased available financial aid, resident tuition waivers, need-based scholarships and on-campus jobs, according to the State Regents’ report. A federal grant has allowed the state to offer 600 new scholarships for needy upperclassmen who are approaching graduation.

Also, students entering four-year universities initially have the option of locking in their tuition rates for all four years. This will guarantee the tuition at a slightly higher rate, assuming the normal rate will increase over the four years, potentially saving hundreds of dollars.