Troy University’s tuition and housing fees are going up due to a decline in state allocated funding, according to university officials.

Undergraduate tuition will increase from $235 to $249 per credit hour and graduate tuition will increase from $290 to $307 per credit hour. Online courses through the University’s distance learning division, eTROY, are also going up from $260 to $280 per undergraduate credit hour and from $440 to $450 per graduate credit hour.

The general student fee will increase from $28 to $32 per credit hour and the Dining Dollars charge paid by commuter students on the Troy Campus will increase from $200 to $250 a semester. However, the $8 per credit hour technology fee for students enrolled in distance-learning courses and out-of-state campuses has been eliminated.

On-campus housing costs have been raised on traditional dorm-style rooms from $1,350 to $1,420 a semester and meal plans will increase from $1,464 to $1,553 per semester.

Dr. Jim Bookout, senior vice chancellor for Finance and Business Affairs noted that the continued decline in state appropriations spurred the need for the increases.

Bookout said that the university’s state allocation has dropped from $62,150,763 in 2008 to $44,923,086 in 2012.

The price changes will go into effect fall semester of this year.

And while the rising cost of tuition at Troy University may be considered bad news by students, there’s good news to report too.

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education approved four new degree programs starting fall semester.

Students will be able to obtain a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, a Master of Accountancy in the Sorrell College of Business, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Master of Science in Strategic Communications in the College of Communication and Fine Arts.

In addition, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education also approved the extension of the Master of Science in Adult Education to include other campuses; a concentration in environmental policy to the Master of Science Degree in Environmental and Biological Sciences; three options to the Master of Science in Adult Education in leadership studies, instructional technology and curriculum and instructional design; an emphasis in public history to the existing baccalaureate program in history; and a pre-baccalaureate certificate in cyber-security.