EL PASO, Texas -- Jose Hernandez has been going to the University of Texas at El Paso for about three years. He said education is worth it but it comes at a price.

"They're really not realizing the students are suffering right now. For myself, right now economically, I'm struggling," said Hernandez.

When Hernandez found out that tuition may be on the rise at UTEP, it wasn't news that he was looking forward to.

"A lot of students don't say it, 'cause they're like ashamed, because they're like, 'Oh they're going to think I'm poor.' Hey, I'm poor," said Hernandez.

Starting Tuesday, university officials will host a series of forums to discuss a tuition increase. So far, they haven't said how much of an increase or specifics about what it is needed for.

"I think UTEP is pretty reasonable right now," said Amanda Gonzalez.

KFOX took a closer look at the tuition hikes at UTEP over the past five years. According to information posted on the university's Web site, for 15 hours or roughly four or five classes in the fall of 2004, tuition was about $2,323. For the fall in 2009, tuition was roughly $3,111 for undergraduate classes.

At the University of Texas at Tyler, tuition for the fall semester in 2009 was roughly $3,021 for 15 hours of undergraduate studies, according to information posted on the university's Web site.

At University of Texas at Austin, tuition was roughly $4,465 for 15 hours in the fall of 2009, according to information posted on its Web Site.

But tuition is only a part of student expenses.

"It was $185 for parking and books about $700 to $800," said Gonzalez.

University leaders at UTEP said past tuition increases have paid for things including technology and the addition of course sections, increased research opportunities.