Lexington County parents are shuddering as college tuition and fees skyrocket. Clemson and USC boards have approved tuition increases 1.75% to 3% for in-state undergraduates, according to media reports. Why the rapid increases? The colleges and universities have to pay off millions of dollars in bond debt. As Rick Brundrett of the watchdog SC Policy Council reported, state law allows colleges and universities to use tuition and other student fees to pay off construction and other debts. Over the last 10 years, undergraduate tuition and fees jumped 40%, Brundrett found in state records. Total debt primarily for building projects rose almost 93% to $2 billion, according to the SC Commission on Higher Education. By law, that is supposed to be paid off with non-tax revenue. That includes tuition and other student fees, Brundrett found. The debt for each full-time student averaged $17,583. That’s up nearly 60% from 2008, CHE records show. Another $130.4 million, or $2,464 for full-time students, was owed last year to technical colleges such as Midlands Tech. Next year, lawmakers may approve borrowing hundreds of millions more for repairs at colleges and universities and at other state buildings. Paying off those millions plus interest will fall on the taxpayers. Colleges and universities have other money for debt. For example, the University of South Carolina’s 8 campuses have $415 million to be used for “any lawful purpose,” according to its annual financial report. This money could pay off more than half of USC debt. State Treasurer Curtis Loftis reported 11 colleges and universities owe $2.7 billion for the next 30 years. It is to be repaid with tuition and fees. Almost $100 million more is owed through 2029 on a bond paid back by taxpayers.