First 4-year school to meet governor's challenge.
Due to the soaring cost of higher education, Governor Perry last year challenged schools across Texas to find a cheaper solution that would help more residents earn a four-year degree.
The latest to do so is UT Permian Basin outside Odessa, where school President David Watts says Texas residents can now earn a degree in math or science for just $2,500 a year.
"It will require the freshman student to be fully admitted to the university and be registered by August 1," says Watts. "They'll have to take 30 credit hours per year and complete the degree in four years."
"We're already one of the least expensive in the state, about $3,350 per semester," he says. "Austin I believe is in the $5,000 per semester range as are most other schools, so this is a substantial discount."
Books however are not included, but housing is. That's the big difference from Texas A&M San Antonio which has partnered with a local community college and school districts to offer a four-year degree in information technology.
"Currently we're a junior/senior college, so it's really taking advantage of the partners we've already established," says TAMUSA spokeswoman Jillian Reddish.
Unlike UTPB, TAMUSA requires students earn some credit hours while still in high school, and then attend community college for two years before completing their degree.
"We're getting them on that track earlier, so that they can graduate on time and without that debt," Reddish says. "Hopefully there will be a job ready for them because this is such an in-demand field."
