Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

(AP) -- CANTON, Mo.  - Tuition costs have generally been rising, but one Missouri college is bucking that trend this summer.

Culver-Stockton College in Canton is nearly tripling the number of courses it plans to offer over the summer, while at the same time reducing tuition by nearly 40 percent.

The college says the classes are not only open to Culver students but to students from other colleges who are from the Canton area and home for the summer.

Officials say the changes are partly in response to the current economic demand for more efficient, cost-effective programs.

Normally, Culver-Stockton offers about six on-campus courses over the summer. The new formal includes 20 courses, all available online only.

Tuition is reduced to $200 per credit hour from $325.

(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)