PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's three state universities are proposing opening a fourth, lower-priced campus as soon as next year and four similar campuses by 2020.

The proposed campuses would offer only bachelor's degrees with limited majors and have cheaper in-state tuition than Arizona State University, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.

The plan was drafted by the presidents of the three universities and will be presented to the state Board of Regents on Thursday.

However, many details need to be worked out, including funding, tuition, possible locations and the academic majors.

The presidents are recommending that the new campuses be operated by an existing university; ASU is the most likely choice.

Lake Havasu City, Show Low and Goodyear are among the locations interested in hosting a four-year campus.

Incoming Regents President Ernest Calderon called the draft plan a good step.

"The people of Arizona want great access that is more affordable and they want it now," he said. "People are hurting for money and we've got to respond to it."

Adding lower-priced campuses would dramatically change the state university system. The three universities have opened branch campuses in various locations over the years that charge somewhat lower tuition, but the difference isn't dramatic.

The targeted annual tuition at the lower-priced colleges would be an amount always less than the maximum federal Pell Grant amount, which is currently $5,800 a year, said ASU President Michael Crow.

Some regents said the tuition could be two-thirds of what is charged at the other universities.

The restructuring comes as state legislators and Gov. Jan Brewer are pushing the universities to come up with something more affordable than the traditional four-year degree at a research university.

In-state tuition and fees rose by up to 54 percent from 2004 to 2008, and are increasing sharply again this fall.

New undergraduate students will pay 20 to 24 percent more than in 2008-2009 in tuition and fees — $6,627 at NAU, $6,842 at UA, and $6,840 for new students at ASU's Tempe campus.