While many critics have been pleased with the recent freeze in student fees, Business Week has pointed out that it still is getting more and more expensive to be a student. Last week there was the SF Chronicle study on rising book costs - this week, it’ s time to talk about the dorms.

An annual College Board report on pricing trends in higher education estimated that students will pay nearly $400 more for this year’s room and board than they did last year. It also stated that on-campus housing expenses now average $6,636 and $7,791 at four-year public and private universities, respectively.

The crown for most expensive housing belongs to the University of California-Berkeley. Its tuition may not be as high as at the priciest private schools, but room and board will ring up at $13,074 for the 2006-2007 academic year…

The magazine also brings up interesting rent statistics:

On-campus: $13,074
Off-campus estimate: $9,121
Percentage of students living on campus: 35%

Area Rental Costs:
House share: $500–$800
Studio: $900–1,500
1 bedroom: $1,100–1,850
2 bedroom: $1,450–2,500

It’s important to note that while state and federal financial aid do take housing costs into account, dorm rates have increased, and a great deal of that is burdening the construction costs of new projects, particularly the expansions on Unit I & II.

Ultimately though, this reflects another example of the university putting its own public relations strategy above student interests. How can the administration continue to claim it is reaching out to all Californians when it quietly makes it more expensive to simply be a student?