Differential tuition

Differential tuition may be charged to students according to the specific courses they take,^[3] or only to students enrolled in certain programs. Program-specific differential tuitions are usually charged for programs that have high operating costs such as the health sciences and engineering,^[2] or high student demand such as business.^[4] Some states like Kentucky and Florida have proposed applying differential tuition to arts and humanities degree programs perceived as having less value in the workforce.^[1]

Differential tuition can be charged to all students enrolled at a particular institution, or to a particular category of students such as all undergraduates.^[2] Educational institutions may have exemptions for freshman students or for the earliest credit hours completed toward a degree program up to a specified number, such as the 60 hours often used to differentiate upperclassmen.^[3]