Tuition freezes and bargain summer rates are among the measures schools are using to remain competitive during a recession, an education official says.

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At least a dozen private and public colleges are bringing in extra revenue by offering summer school classes with lower tuition than during the regular school year, USA Today reports.

"Clearly the economy is prompting colleges to think and act creatively to maintain student enrollment," says Tony Pals of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Jenna LaPlace of Bainbridge, Ohio, says she's saving $1,560 by taking animal physiology at Hiram College this summer rather than during the regular school term when it costs 40 percent more.

Colleges and universities in Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Iowa are among dozens of institutions advertising tuition discounts this summer.

For the second summer in a row, St. Peter's College in New Jersey is offering a "buy-one-and-get-the-second-for-half-price" deal on summer school courses.