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The nation watched as President Obama gave his third State of the Union address and college tuition costs and debt were high on his list.

The President spoke to his fellow Congressmen about stopping this July’s tuition hike.

“[The] States also need to do their part by making higher education a higher priority in their budgets,” Obama said. “And colleges and universities have to do their part by working to keep costs down.”

Obama even said he would cut funding if the colleges don’t stop increasing tuition.

“So, let me put colleges and universities on notice,” Obama said. “If you can’t stop tuition from going up, the funding from taxpayers will go down.”

Which means incoming students may not have as high of debt.

I asked multiple students how much debt they would have after they graduate.

Ashley Rangel, a Physical Therapy major, said she will have about $100,000 worth of debt, and there may be more.

Kara Manning is a Chemistry major at Kent but plans to go on to pharmacy school after she graduates.

“Grad school [will cost] approximately $175,000,” Manning said. “Here, I’d say close to about $20,000 or $30,000.”

Last July, Kent increased its tuition by 3.5% for this school year. With this being re-election year for Obama, questions arise on whether he will keep his word.

Tyler Verma, whose major is still undecided, isn’t sure what will happen this July.

“I think he’s going to try to do the best he can to get as many things as possible done,” Verma said. “Whether this is going to be one of them or not, I don’t know.”

The President also proposed the states make it mandatory for all high school students to graduate or until they are 18-years-old.

Contact Lauren Miller at [email protected].