<p>Interesting 2/2/2012 “Delaware Online” article on college costs:</p>
<p>[State’s</a> colleges bracing for war on costs | The News Journal | delawareonline.com](<a href=“http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012202020336]State’s”>http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012202020336)</p>
<p>Here is an excerpt:</p>
<p>Over the past five years, however, UD students have endured tuition and fee increases ranging between 5.29 percent and 9.7 percent.</p>
<p>In a recent report to credit rating agencies, UD administrators told bond investors that further tuition increases could be sustained into the future as long as the institution’s image continued to improve.</p>
<p>“As we admit fewer weak students and replace them with more high achievers, we enhance our academic reputation,” UD wrote. “A university’s academic reputation affects how much a family is willing to pay for tuition.”</p>
<p>That trend shows no sign of slowing as UD continues the aggressive expansion and upgrade of its facilities.</p>
<p>UD’s costs for in-state students exceed the national average for four-year public schools by nearly 20 percent, according to federal data. The university, however, focuses more on how its rates compare to institutions in the region competing for the same students, said Jennifer “J.J.” Davis, UD’s vice president for finance and administration.</p>
<p>Although costs have risen, Davis said UD still provides value, an argument supported by its students’ track record of successfully repaying student loans.</p>