Public university tuition remains a bargain despite recent increases - Mark Emmert, Seattle Times

Tuition is going up at public universities partly because of state budget cuts. But University of Washington President Mark Emmert writes that public university tuition remains a bargain, thanks to innovative programs to keep education affordable and federal stimulus programs. Recent headlines about "soaring" tuition and fees have no doubt left many with a bad case of sticker shock. The more surprising story might be, "tuition at public universities offered at deep discount." The 14-percent increase in tuition at Washington's public four-year colleges and universities this year is a headline-grabber, but it is far from the whole story.