After the 1970s, what caused tuition increases in Texas state universities?

The correct answer highlights a significant shift in how Texas state universities approached tuition fees in relation to student enrollment. After the 1970s, many Texas universities began to tie tuition payments to the number of semester hours a student enrolled in. This approach incentivized universities to charge students based on their course load, which could lead to increased tuition rates for those taking more classes. As state funding for higher education became more volatile and other funding sources did not keep pace with rising operational costs, universities sought new revenue streams by modifying their tuition structures.

This shift in policy often resulted in an increase in the overall cost of attendance, especially for those students who opted to take heavier course loads. This change reflects broader trends in higher education financing and the financial pressures that institutions faced in a changing economic landscape. The other options do not accurately represent the key factors contributing to tuition increases, as they suggest different strategies or policies that did not have significant impacts in the same way.