AMES -- Student leaders at the three state universities said they, and the students they represent, mostly support the proposed tuition increases laid out to the Board of Regents Wednesday.

"It would seem that we should be demanding a 0 percent tuition increase, but we understand it is not in our best interest," said Daniel Fischer, president of the Iowa State Government of the Student Body.

University presidents recommended a 4.2 percent base tuition increase for all resident undergraduate students. The total increase, with mandatory fees factored in, drops to 4.1 percent overall at the University of Northern Iowa and increases to 4.6 percent at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University.

The total cost for students at UNI will increase to $6,636 and $6,650 at Iowa State University. The increase will bring tuition and fees at Iowa to $6,824.

The increases are based on the Higher Education Price Index, which measures the expected cost of inflation for colleges and universities. The projected index for teh 2009-2010 year is 4.2 percent to 5.6 percent.

Out-of-state undergraduate students can expect a 2 percent and 2.8 percent increase at UNI and Iowa State respectively. Nonresident students attending Iowa are scheduled to see a 7.6 percent tuition increase.

Maison Bleam, president of the University of Iowa Student Government, said students "hesitate to support" the out-of-state increase, especially given the current state of the economy. Iowa President Sally Mason said the increase, which amounts to nearly $1,500, isn't expected to impact the number of students applying for admission to the university and is somewhat offset by an increase in the amount of university-funded financial aid available to top students.

The board is expected to vote on the proposal during its December meeting in Cedar Falls.