FAIRFIELD – Tuition at the state’s seven community colleges will go up by 2.5 percent next year under a plan approved Wednesday by the Maine Community College System board of trustees.

Beginning the next academic year, tuition for full-time Maine students will increase $2 to $80 per credit hour, college officials said. Out-of-state tuition will also increase by $2 per credit hour to $161 per hour.

Dennis King, chairman of the board, said revenue from the tuition increase will be used for faculty and staff positions.

“Maine’s community colleges have grown dramatically in the past four years, but full-time staffing has remained the same,” King said. “By keeping this year’s tuition increase to a minimum and dedicating the revenues to direct student support, we aim to ensure that the colleges continue to provide Maine residents with an affordable, high quality education.”

The Maine Community College System is composed of York County Community College in Wells, Washington County Community College in Calais, Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle, Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield, Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, and Central Maine Community College in Auburn.