Providence (AP) — Tuition at Rhode Island's three public colleges may soon rise.

The state Board of Education on Wednesday voted to raise tuition and fees by roughly 7 percent.

The board voted unanimously after the Council on Postsecondary Education recommended the increase last week. It now heads to Gov. Gina Raimondo, who's expected to submit her budget to the General Assembly.

Tuition and fees for in-state, full-time students at the Community College of Rhode Island would increase nearly $300 to $4,564.

Rhode Island College students would see an increase of $570 to $8,776 while University of Rhode Island students would see a hike of more than $900 to $13,792.

Council Chairman Bill Foulkes says the state's higher education institutions would still be among the most affordable in the region.