Bill: different tuition for each program

The state's colleges and universities would have four years of unlimited tuition-setting authority to establish a new baseline for tuition under a bill introduced Tuesday.

The legislation would encourage the state's six four-year schools to set different prices on different programs, to more accurately reflect their cost. For example, an engineering degree at the University of Washington might cost more than an English degree.

The bill is sponsored by state Reps. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, head of the House's Higher Education Committee, and Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, vice chair of that committee.

Under the proposal, if the schools raised tuition by more than 7 percent a year during the four-year period, half the additional revenue would go into student financial aid, which would be used to help middle-class students pay for college.

Carlyle said the state has done a good job of supporting lower-income students who attend college, but "the deep, dark fear that every one of us has is that as tuition increases, the middle class gets crushed."

Under the plan, "there is a very real possibility that some universities may see a dramatic spike" in the tuition in some programs, Carlyle said. Both lawmakers said the bill's aim is to give schools enough money to rapidly grow the number of students who graduate from college, because people with college degrees are needed to help boost the state's economy.

Under the bill, a four-person family earning $54,000 to $96,000 is considered middle class.

The House also is considering a separate bill that would give the state's colleges and universities greater tuition-setting authority, within limits, and create a private financial-aid endowment to help low- and middle-income students pay for college.

That bill, requested by Gov. Chris Gregoire, was based on the recommendations of a task force made up primarily of business leaders. That measure also is sponsored by Carlyle and Seaquist.

Seaquist said the two bills aren't in conflict.

"It's an unusual committee we're trying to run," he said. "We're trying to think out loud with the Washington state public involved."

Katherine Long: 206-464-2219 or klong@seattletimes.com