Maryland's governor, Martin J. O'Malley, didn't get much of his legislative agenda through the General Assembly this year, but he did succeed on one front: preserving enough state aid for the public-university system to stave off a tuition increase for the fourth consecutive year. Like politicians in several states, Mr. O'Malley, a Democrat, made college affordability a priority even as lawmakers struggled to close a $1.9-billion budget shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1. While holding down tuition may score political points for elected officials, the real impact on a student's pocketbook is often underwhelming because public-college tuition in most states is relatively low compared with private institutions. At the same time, prolonged tuition freezes can come at a price. If there is no other revenue to replace lost tuition dollars, the freezes can force institutions to cut faculty positions, academic programs, and student services. And even when states agree to offset the cost of a tuition freeze with tax dollars, colleges may have to consider much heftier tuition increases or deeper spending cuts if the state commitment evaporates after a few years. Even some students are warning that a low-priced college may not provide the highest-value education.