Blame it on some well-paid faculty. Point to costly health care, new construction or multiple dining options.

Whatever the reason, college budgets keep growing – even while many Michigan households are making do with less.

Slashing budgets too deeply, college administrators say, risks academic quality and the ability to attract the best and brightest students. And what else can you do, they say, when state appropriations dwindle?

But some students and parents wonder whether Michigan's 15 public universities have too many frills – pricing too many out of a degree.

"Look, if the instructors know what they're talking about and the weeds aren't growing between the sidewalks, I could care less about all the extras," said Jessica Biondo, 19, of Beverly Hills. She plans to attend Wayne State University, whose Board of Governors is to meet Wednesday to consider next fall's tuition.

DeAndre Smith bypasses expensive coffees and sit-down lunches these days for the $1 menu at McDonald's.

Having endured five years of tuition increases at Wayne State University, he said he has learned to cut costs. He just wishes universities would, too.

"I guess if I had a guaranteed job, I'd feel differently," said Smith, 24, a Cass Tech High School graduate.