Montcalm Community College’s tuition is not increasing in the next year.

The MCC Board of Trustees approved a resolution during their May 8 meeting not to raise the college’s tuition rates for the 2018-2019 academic year.

“In our economic climate, the college is able to hold steady our tuition and fees costs for students in the coming year,” MCC President Bob Ferrentino said. “Unlike many other community colleges in the state that are experiencing enrollment declines, our enrollments are increasing slightly.

“With a little higher student numbers and the fact that we have budgeted very cautiously in the upcoming year, we are able to hold the line on our tuition,” he said.

MCC’s tuition will remain at $108 per contact hour for in-district students, $204 per contact hour for out-of-district students and $333 per contact hour for out-of-state students. Tuition for nursing students will remain at $133 per contact hour for in-district, $229 for out-of-district and $358 for out-of-state students.

“Enrollment in technical career areas has increased as people seek training and retraining for new opportunities. Likewise, our general studies classrooms are full of students looking to fulfill requirements before transferring to four-year institutions,” Ferrentino said.

MCC offers more than 60 associate degree, certificate and job training programs; courses that transfer to bachelor’s programs; and articulations with other colleges that offer students a seamless transfer. The college combines state-of-the-art facilities and technology with its highly-qualified instructors, small class sizes and affordable tuition to meet the educational needs of its community.

“When we consider the global economy, we are experiencing tremendous changes in skilled trades and health careers, which is affecting all of the communities we serve,” Ferrentino said.

“Traditionally, community colleges offer affordable, high-quality education that results in earning an associate degree or certificate, and an increasing number of students are starting at community colleges before transferring to four-year universities,” he added. “At MCC, we have a variety of articulation agreements in place that offer a seamless process for moving from one educational institution to another. They also help to reduce the cost of higher education, which can be a barrier for students to completion.”

MCC students recently cited overall cost, the college’s academic reputation and personal attention to student needs as influences for enrolling at the institution.