The average cost for a resident undergraduate to go to a state college or university full-time has increased 9.2 percent if they live off campus and 7.7 percent if they live on campus, according to a Wednesday report from the state.

Four-year schools on average are charging $567 more in tuition and fees and $372 more for room and board. The hike is lower at community colleges, which have increased tuition and fees by $135, or 6.3 percent.

Despite a massive increase in state higher-education spending, students are seeing a higher average increase in tuition and fees this year than last, when the increase was about 8 percent.

The state increased spending on educational and general programs by $1.5 billion, or 15 percent, for higher education in 2006-07. But because of the state budget delay, schools set their tuition rates before knowing how much they would get in aid.

The increased spending might be reflected in lower increases next year, Dan Hix, finance policy director for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, has said. His organization, known as SCHEV, releases the tuition and fees report each year.

In-state undergraduate tuition increases at Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia and Virginia Military Institute were right at the state average for four-year schools: 9.3 percent. Tech's average room-and-board increase of 5.4 percent was below the state average of 6 percent. Attending Tech will cost state residents $6,973 if they live off campus and about $11,739 if they live on campus, the cheapest total cost in the state.

Radford's tuition increase was considerably higher, 12 percent, tied with the University of Virginia-Wise for second-highest behind Virginia State University's 12.5 percent.

"Frankly, we had a little catching up to do" RU Board of Visitors Rector Mary Ann Hovis said. Her school's in-state tuition and fees, $5,746, remains cheaper than what is charged by most other four-year schools, she pointed out. Radford students who live on campus will pay about $12,050, an increase of 7.1 percent.

"I haven't personally heard any complaints, but with that increase I think students are going to expect an increase in the level of education they are getting out of Radford, and I definitely think they are going to see it," said Martin Mash, Radford's student government association president.

SCHEV's report said "Virginia institutions have become more cost competitive regionally and nationally over the past decade." It predicts UVa will improve from the nation's 18th most expensive "major public university" to the 15th. An average of the tuition and fees at five Virginia schools, which is compared with similar schools in other states, is expected to decrease from 12th most expensive to 10th.

On the way up

The average tuition and fees for four-year schools across Virginia rose by 9.3 percent this year, as did Virginia Tech’s and the University of Virginia’s. Radford University’s rate hike was higher than the average, percentage-wise, and the state’s community college system, including New River Community College, was lower.

Average Virginia four-year school: $6,631, up 9.3 percent

Radford University: $5,746, up 12 percent

University of Virginia: $7,845, up 9.3 percent

Virginia Tech: $6,972, up 9.3 percent

Virginia Community College System: $2,269, up 6.3 percent