Harreld pointed to the UI’s drop in college rankings.

The Daily Iowan reports.

Harreld Pushes Tuition Hike

University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld will argue for “more dramatic” increases in tuition moving forward, potentially as a way to offset lower amounts of support from the state Legislature.

“We have an obligation to the state, and we will fulfill that obligation,” he said. “But at the same time, I think someone needs to be, and I am, responsible for making sure that doesn’t sacrifice the quality of what we’re doing, and I think we are at that point.”

Harreld pointed to the UI’s drop in rankings, done annually by U.S. News & World Report. The UI is currently tied at 82nd.

“I am speculating and will be arguing for a more dramatic increase going forward. We are at the bottom of our peer group,” Harreld said Monday in a Q&A session with The Daily Iowan. “We could raise our tuition well over $1,000 and still be in the bottom of the Big Ten in terms of in-state tuition.”