MOSCOW, Idaho – The state Board of Education has approved tuition increases for Idaho colleges and universities, though allowing less than the schools had sought.

The board Thursday approved a 6.16 percent increase at Boise State University, and 5 percent increases at the University of Idaho, Idaho State University and Lewis-Clark State College.

The increase means BSU students will pay $4,410 a year, the same as University of Idaho students, the highest tuition among public universities in the state.

The average tuition for Idaho universities for 2006-07 was $4,110, ranking it 13th among the 15 Western states in what it charges students, according to the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education. The average was $4,729.

College presidents said schools have been trying to catch up financially after Idaho’s economy faltered in 2001-02.