GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) – College students across the country are having to pay more for room and board fees this year, including students at Colorado Mesa University.

According to a report by US News, room and board fees have increased $250 on average. Colorado Mesa University saw an increase just under three percent, rounding out to room and board fees between $8,000 and $10,000, depending on meal plan and dorm choice.

Despite the increase, CMU students aren't feeling as large of a pinch as students at some other universities, such as St. John's University in New York City where students pay more than $15,000 in room and board fees.

Nonetheless, college fees have students like CMU Junior Tess Matsukawa holding multiple jobs to pay for the costs.

"I feel like the price you pay for living on campus is basically the entire experience that you get from it," Matsukawa said. "I definitely couldn't live on campus for four years just because of the cost, but I really enjoyed my first two years."

CMU requires all first- and second-year students under 21 years of age who don't live with their parents within 50 miles of campus to live in campus dorms. According to CMU Director of Media Relations Dana Nunn, more than 2000 of CMU's 9000 students are living on campus this year.

Matsukawa said she's saved money living off campus and buying her own food, rather than being on a campus meal plan.

"I know for a lot of students, price is the biggest concern for them so they try and move off campus, but I know they're grateful they lived on campus for the time they did," Matsukawa said.