Universities charge more tuition fees for harder majors

A growing number of public universities in America are charging higher tuition fees for maths, science and business programmes, which they argue cost more to teach – and can earn graduates higher-paying jobs – writes Alicia McCarty for USA Today.

More than 140 public universities now use ‘differential tuition’ plans, up 19% since 2006, according to research from Cornell's Higher Education Research Institute. That number is increasing as states cut higher education spending, and institutions try to pay for expensive technical programmes.

"It's been a lifesaver," said Donde Plowman, dean of the college of business administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which charges business and engineering majors $50 more a credit. "We can be excited for the future."

The money at Nebraska paid to create a career centre, renovate a student lounge and hire an additional academic advisor. The college is also hiring new faculty.
Full report on the USA Today site