Nampa (670 KBOI News) – With college tuition rising almost across the board, the College of Western Idaho is holding their tuition at what it was last year, and the last four years in a row.

Spokesman Mark Browning says the Board of Trustees last night voted to keep tuition at $139 per credit.

He says they’ve worked hard to control costs internally, and the legislature has helped, but there one big overriding reason they’re able to not raise tuition.

“We are benefitting from a very strong economy in the Treasure Valley,” said Browning.  “We’re benefiting from increased property tax valuations to homeowners, in Ada and Canyon Counties.  Most of our homes are worth more money than they were two, three or four years ago, which results in some additional revenue streams coming in to the College.”

The cost for dual credit classes — those earned by high schoolers taking college classes — will increase $10 per credit, from $65 to $75.

But Browning says dual credit classes are still half of what an actual class on campus would cost.