PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The South Dakota Board of Technical Education set the state tuition rate at $121 per credit hour for the fall term at the four technical schools.

Executive Director Nick Wendell says they tried to keep the increase to a minimum.

Wendell says tech schools invest in new equipment almost every year.

Wendell says they also need to be competitive on pay for their instructors because of pressure from the private sector.

Wendell says total cost per credit hour this fall, including fees, will be $162.