The cost of a university education is on the rise in North Carolina, with two universities in the UNC system approving tuition hikes Friday.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington approved a 6.5-percent tuition increase for all students in the 2011-2012 school year.

Last month, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University also approved 6.5-percent increases, which are the maximum allowed under university policy.

In a statement released Friday, UNCW estimated that despite the tuition hike, total student costs would only increase by 3.8 percent. The additional funds will allow UNCW to maintain 21 faculty positions, offer 128 additional course sections and help soften the impact of likely state budget reductions, the university said.

North Carolina Central University recommended increasing in-state undergraduate tuition by 5 percent and graduate tuition by 6 percent. The university's board of trustees said in a statement that the additional funds will help provide need-based financial aid and expanded course offerings.

The UNC Board of Governors will vote on the proposed increases in February