No tuition increase next year at Georgia's public colleges

ATLANTA (AP) Tuition rates at Georgia's public colleges will hold steady for the next academic year.

The state Board of Regents voted Tuesday not to increase tuition for 2018-19. Enrollment costs will remain the same all 26 public colleges and universities in Georgia.

University system Chancellor Steve Wrigley says the board recognizes a ``critical need to keep our institutions affordable for students while providing a quality education.''

The board agreed to allow nine schools to make limited fee increases, ranging from $3 to $31 per semester, for full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition.

The University System of Georgia says in news release that it has kept tuition hikes to an average of 1.8 percent annually over the past five years.