SACRAMENTO -- Higher education leaders this week are set to adopt some of the priciest tuition rate increases in a decade for California's two public university systems.

Students at California State University and the University of California say the expected 30 percent boost for both school systems will be tough to absorb, despite months of warnings that fee spikes were coming.

"There's really no question we will be paying more," said Peter Ucovich, president of Associated Students at California State University, Sacramento.

Academic officials lament the fee increases but insist that, without them, the consequences would be far worse: mass layoffs, fewer courses and diminished quality at UC's nine campuses and CSU's 23 campuses.

Ultimately, the state's $38.2 billion budget shortfall could squeeze close to $1 billion out of the UC and CSU budgets for the coming academic year.

Under the 30 percent scenario, a full-time CSU undergraduate would see fees go to $2,046 from $1,572 -- a $474 boost for one year. For CSU graduate students, fees would rise to $2,254 from $1,734.

A 30 percent increase for a resident UC undergraduate would raise fees to $4,984, or about $5,300 once other mandatory campus fees are added. UC graduate students would face 25 percent increases -- up to $5,019 a year -- and pay roughly $6,346 with other campus fees.