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Barton proposes a lower rate for high schoolers
$2 tuition hike proposed for some college credits
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High school students who enroll in some Barton Community College courses could save money starting this summer. Meanwhile, other BCC students may see no increase or a $2 per credit hour tuition increase in the fall. The BCC Board of Trustees heard the administration’s recommendations Tuesday and will be asked to approve those recommendations in two weeks.

Vice President of Administration Mark Dean presented his annual review of Barton’s tuition and fees at Tuesday’s board study session. The college hasn’t offered a special rate for high school students in the past although many high school students do get a break in the form of scholarships. The proposal would set the tuition for high school students at $4 per credit hour and fees at $46 per credit hour, for a total of $50, instead of the $113 per credit hour currently charged for in-district students or $155 for online students. 

Dean said this measure will help Barton compete with other colleges offering lower tuition rates to high school students. “This also puts less of a burden on our scholarship funds,” he said. “Hopefully, we’re going to see an increase in students.”

Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman noted that the college is also able to offer low-cost textbooks.


Other students

Dean also recommends no change this fall for college students who reside in Barton County and for Barton Online students. Local students pay a total of $113 per credit hour and online students pay $155.

However, he recommended a $2 tuition increase for other students. That includes non-local Kansas residents, as well as out-of-state and international students. The $2 tuition hike would also apply to troop courses and college programs at Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth and Grandview Plaza.

The rates bring in additional revenue for the college but keep Barton competitive with other community colleges in Kansas, Heilman noted. “Other institutions have already passed steep hikes,” he said. “The additional revenue (from this increase) is not steep but will be helpful.”


Other business

In other business, the trustees:

• Reviewed the February financial statement

• Heard a report on Title IX changes that colleges will need to implement by August.

• Heard a report on the Barton marketing plan.

• Looked at the board meeting schedule for 2023-2024.