SIOUX FALLS, SD -

The Board of Regents has approved a plan to decrease tuition at the University Center in Sioux Falls for some classes. The decrease may benefit new and current students.

Being a single mom makes going back to school more of a challenge for Tara Gannon.

"Right now, I'm going for a Psychology major. So, I have a variety of classes," Gannon said.

Starting next year things could get a little easier for the University Center student, at least financially.

The Board of Regents voted to decrease tuition for 29 of the school's 100 and 200 level classes, a move University Center Executive Dean Mark Lee pushed hard for.

"The board took kind of a bold step to improve access for local citizens here in Sioux Falls," Lee said.

Starting in the fall, it will cost students $189 per credit hour. That's a $100.

"The beauty of it is, of course, that the set of courses will allow students to achieve all of the requirements they need for their general education studies, plus an Associate of Arts or an Associates of Science degree as well," Lee said.

You might think the tuition decrease would hurt other schools, like Southeast Tech just down the road. But the President of Southeast Tech says he doesn't see that being the case.

"It's really what the goal of the student is, what is it that the student wants," STI President Jeffrey Holcomb said.

Holcomb says students who want a specific career come to them, where the University Center is geared more towards four-year degrees.

"Competition is a good thing.  It will allow all of us to focus on our mission and focus on what we can do for students and what we can do for our community," Holcomb said.

Lee says the goal is to make classes more efficient and more affordable.  He's hoping it will attract new students.  While she's already made the decision to go back to class, Gannon says it may help her reach her goals faster.

"That little bit of extra money will go a long way," Gannon said.

The tuition decrease is a pilot program.  After four years, the Board of Regents will take a look at its effectiveness.