On June 12, the UW Board of Regents approved a 7 percent increase of in-state, undergraduate tuition starting this fall, increasing the costs for students by about $400 for the academic year. Out-of-state students will see a 6.6 percent increase, or more than $1,000 per year.

In-state senior Mitchell Ishimitsu said that while he doesn’t like the tuition increase, he does realize UW students still pay a fair price compared to students at other schools.

The UW’s tuition is still cheaper than “comparable institutions around the country,” UW President Mark Emmert said in an interview with uwnews.org.

Ishimitsu said staying at the UW is worth it to finish his degree in computer engineering.

“For my department, the UW’s No. 6 [in the nation],” he said.

Freshman Stephanie Pimentel from California wants to know where her money is going.

“I’m sure it’s benefiting someone, and hopefully that gets to me,” she said. “But I don’t see why it’s increasing, because it’s expensive as it is.”

Pimentel choose the UW over California universities because of its variety. She passed up the California schools to major in social work at the UW.

“I needed a school that had a wide range of majors and opportunities,” she said. “Hopefully, I’m paying for what will reward me in the end. I’m hoping it pays off in the end.”

Depending on the program, there’s also been a tuition increase for international students. Freshman Ashley Mattamana from India said rates are “crazy.” She estimates she pays about $40,000 a year for tuition and board.

“I totally think it sucks,” she said.

International students already pay much more than other students, Mattamana said.

“We’re also not allowed scholarships or financial aid,” she said.

She wants to see a plan and idea of how money from the tuition increase is being used, she said.

Mattamana came to the UW because of the University’s engineering program.

“As it turns out, I’m not doing engineering, but psychology now,” she said.

Despite the change, she plans to finish school at the UW.

“The University of Washington is a very prestigious school and a good opportunity,” Mattamana said.

To balance the tuition increase, the UW is also increasing its financial aid awards. In addition, the University will continue the Husky Promise program, which provides about 20 percent of the UW’s lowest-income students with free tuition.

Tuition increases for graduate students range from 6.1 to 9.4 percent, depending on the program.

[Reach reporter Joy Yagi at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]