Lawmakers gave Utah colleges a little wiggle room in funding this year, which resulted in tuition increases not being as high as some leaders expected.

Friday the State Board of Regents approved first- and second-tier tuition increases for Utah's nine public colleges and universities. The average increase in first- and second-tier tuition combined was 8.3 percent.

"Due to an improved economy and the Legislature's work, we are not seeing increases as high as previously thought," said Board of Regents Chairman Nolan Karras. "Regents are always reluctant to raise tuition, but these increases are necessary to maintain quality."

But even with continual tuition hikes, Higher Education Commissioner Richard Kendell said Utah institutions remain at or below the regional average in tuition and fees.

The board set the first-tier tuition hike at 3.5 percent statewide. That money will fund around a third of the compensation increases approved by the Legislature for faculty and staff, including health and dental premiums.

For second-tier tuition increases, school presidents held public hearings with their students earlier this spring. Funds generated by second-tier increases are used to address specific needs on each of the campuses and fund a variety of purposes like adding faculty, faculty retention and classroom improvements.

This is the fifth year in a row college leaders have taken advantage of a second-tier tuition increase, which is supposed to be allocated according to agreements made with students during public hearings.

Amounts generated by this year's increase and the uses for the money at each school include:

• University of Utah — $5.9 million, to fund additional full-time faculty ($2 million) and faculty retention ($1.05 million). It will also go for additional compensation to meet health-care costs, and for enrollment growth and classroom improvements.

• Utah State University — Around $3.1 million, which will go to faculty and staff compensation, student initiatives, classroom instructional technology, libraries and major university initiatives.

• Weber State University — $1.9 million, which will go to faculty compensation, hiring and student support services.

• Southern Utah University — $600,000, going to new staff, salaries and financial aid.

• Snow College — $213,000, which will go to hiring new faculty and faculty development. Leaders say it may be the last substantial increase for the next few years.

• Dixie State College — $100,000, for faculty and staff compensation.

• College of Eastern Utah — More than $99,000 to cover rising costs in health insurance