The Lib Dems have "lost all credibility with the country and cannot now claim to be a party of fairness", shadow business secretary John Denham said after the party backed the increase in tuition fees.
He said Lib Dem MPs who voted for the proposals should "hang their heads in shame" as English students now face the highest public university fees in the industrialised world.
"This decision was not about deficit reduction but a political choice, driven by the Conservative and Lib Dem Government, to cut most university teaching funding and put the burden for most degrees solely on to students. They will face huge debts and many will pay back for 30 years," Mr Denham said.
"The plans are not fair, not necessary and not good for higher education. Conservatives and Liberal Democrat MPs have let down their constituents, let down young people and let down higher education."
Union leaders also condemned the increase, saying there would be "no winners" from the decision to treble fees.
Aaron Porter, president of the National Union of Students, said the union had won over public opinion, and accused Lib Dem MPs of breaking their promises.
Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), said: "Allowing fees to rise to £9,000 paves the way for the Government to brutally slash universities' teaching budgets. There will be no winners if we transfer the responsibility and cost for higher education from state to student."
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said it was a "dark day" for the future of higher education, and warned that the hike in fees amounts to "nothing less than a Government assault on our young people - and an attack on the principles of universal education".
But professor Steve Smith, president of vice-chancellors' group Universities UK, said the hike is necessary.
He said: "The passing of this vote marks a turning point in the funding of universities in England. "No-one takes any pleasure in asking graduates to take on more debt. But the cuts to the higher education budget are a reality and we must make sure that our universities are properly funded to deliver the high standards that students rightly demand, without cutting back on places."
The Lib Dems have "lost all credibility with the country and cannot now claim to be a party of fairness", shadow business secretary John Denham said after the party backed the increase in tuition fees.
He said Lib Dem MPs who voted for the proposals should "hang their heads in shame" as English students now face the highest public university fees in the industrialised world.
"This decision was not about deficit reduction but a political choice, driven by the Conservative and Lib Dem Government, to cut most university teaching funding and put the burden for most degrees solely on to students. They will face huge debts and many will pay back for 30 years," Mr Denham said.
"The plans are not fair, not necessary and not good for higher education. Conservatives and Liberal Democrat MPs have let down their constituents, let down young people and let down higher education."
Union leaders also condemned the increase, saying there would be "no winners" from the decision to treble fees.
Aaron Porter, president of the National Union of Students, said the union had won over public opinion, and accused Lib Dem MPs of breaking their promises.
Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), said: "Allowing fees to rise to £9,000 paves the way for the Government to brutally slash universities' teaching budgets. There will be no winners if we transfer the responsibility and cost for higher education from state to student."
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said it was a "dark day" for the future of higher education, and warned that the hike in fees amounts to "nothing less than a Government assault on our young people - and an attack on the principles of universal education".
But professor Steve Smith, president of vice-chancellors' group Universities UK, said the hike is necessary.
He said: "The passing of this vote marks a turning point in the funding of universities in England. "No-one takes any pleasure in asking graduates to take on more debt. But the cuts to the higher education budget are a reality and we must make sure that our universities are properly funded to deliver the high standards that students rightly demand, without cutting back on places."