Tuition hike causing some students to rethink options - JOSH HUMPHRIES, The Daily Reflector

The rising cost of higher education in North Carolina has some students taking a long look at their options for the future. State budget shortfalls have forced the 17-campus University of North Carolina system to raise tuition significantly this year. Tuition has increased by an average of 9 percent since 2008 across the UNC system. At East Carolina University, undergraduates who are North Carolina residents will see a hike of $390 this year and a $263 increase in 2011. Until this year, tuition at ECU had only increased by 2 percent since 2008. North Carolina State tuition will increase by $900 this year, up to $6,393. UNC-Chapel Hill will increase by $950 and N.C. Central will increase by $548.