Basis for the fee level requested / Comparison of fees at other universities

 Over the last several years, Cal Poly has experienced funding shortfalls that equate to approximately $25 million. An increase in the college based fee would help minimize the negative impact that the budget reductions have had.

 An additional factor in setting the proposed fee increase level is that of fees/tuition at other universities similar to Cal Poly. We often compare Cal Poly to campuses within the University of California system - specifically UC Davis where their fees are $9,484 as an example.

 The average fees and tuition for public four year institutions in 2006-07 was $5685 (latest data from the Chronicle of Higher Education). Here are some 2008-09 fee examples from the web:

 Cal Poly's annual fees are $5043. Compare with the UC system: Berkeley, $8932; Davis, $9484; Irvine, $8775; UCLA, $8310; Merced, $8365; Riverside, $8520; San Diego, $8906; UCSB, $8395; and Santa Cruz, $8286.

 Here are some costs of private universities: Santa Clara, $35K; Stanford, $36K; University of San Diego, $39K; Westmont, $33K; Harvey Mudd, $37K, Cal Tech $35K, and Loyola Marymount, $35K. Here are some out-of-state institutions with polytechnic programs: Michigan State, $10,740; Clemson, $8911.

 When comparing Cal Poly's current fees with the Public "Tech" Colleges group as defined by US News, excluding other CSU campuses, Cal Poly's undergraduate fees are $1,864 below the average and $7,339 below the high of $12,382.

These higher fees at "tech" colleges are more reflective of the higher costs associated with being a "polytechnic" university.

 When comparing Cal Poly's current undergraduate fees with the comparison group used by Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System of other Master's, Public, Larger Programs, excluding other CSU campuses, Cal Poly's undergraduate fees of $5,043 is $2,894 below the high of $7,937 and $682 below the average of $5,725.