Private College

Florida's state universities have the second-lowest tuition rates in the country.. second only to Utah. That's certainly good news for Florida's public college students, But what does it mean for the private colleges in Florida?

As we find out in Bill Ratliff's "Assignment: Education".. enrollment is up.. and school size may have a lot to do with it.

The University of Tampa is enjoying record total enrollment this year. It's up five-percent over last year and up 20-percent over the last three-years. It mirrors what is happening at many private colleges around the country. But why are more and more students willing to spend more money to attend a private college like U. T... in a state that offers cheap tuition at its public colleges? The Vice-President of Enrollment at U-T says while Florida's state universities are cheaper they're more crowded. And she says.. smaller class sizes.. like those at U.T.. are becoming more appealing to students.

--[U.T. V.P. of Enrollment Barbara Strickler says:] "You have classrooms with 20 to 30 students in it as opposed to several hundred students at a large public institution. You have faculty who are interacting with your students in many different ways than lecturing."--

And that is exactly what we heard from students we spoke to. They say U.T. offers them the individual attention they're seeking.

--[Student Kim Fischer says:] "The size of the classes are really great. It's like I know all my teachers and they know exactly how I do my work."--

--[Student Nancy Giaimis says:] "The class sizes was the one thing that got me. Everything is small. It's kind of like high school. Everyone knows each other. You're not.. you're not just a number."--

--[Student Aaron Lurie says:] "So coming down here to a small school.. I thought small classes were better for my benefit."--

So for those students.. and many others at U-T.. college may cost more, but it's worth it. They feel they're getting more for their dollar. Bill Ratliff, Newschannel 8.

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