Politics on the Hudson

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli today said the State University of New York should charge higher tuition for out-of-state students, saying New York charges on average $8,463 less than other states.

DiNapoli estimates the state could bring in $340 million in new revenue over four years if it charged the national average for out-of-state tuition, according to a report from his office.

“SUNY schools are a great way for students to get a quality education,” DiNapoli said in a statement.  “But New York taxpayers shouldn’t be subsidizing out-of-state students.”

The report found SUNY charges an average of $12,870 for undergraduate out-of-state tuition while 29 other public schools in 19 states charge $21,333. The disparity exists even after SUNY raised out-of-state tuition $2,260 this school year, DiNapoli said.

If tuition for out-of-state students was increased, half of the revenue could be passed onto in-state students and save them about $1,000 in tuition over four years.

SUNY enrolls 162,719 full-time equivalent undergraduate students at 34 campuses. About 6 percent, or 9,429 students, reside in other states, DiNapoli said.