Public colleges, universities grapple with tuition hikes - Mary Beth Marklein, USA TODAY

Tuition increases for undergraduates attending public colleges and universities in their home states appear to be all over the map this fall.The range so far — from no change at Maine's community colleges to double digits at some Virginia and Arizona universities — reflect the variety of strategies schools and states are trying to balance their economic challenges with those of students and parents. "States are starting from different places," says Julie Bell of the National Conference of State Legislatures. But in general, money for higher education "just isn't there."