Lowest Tuition Increases in Over 35 Years
Posted 20 Jul, 2009
With families still feeling the effects of the recession, many of us are intent on keeping costs down anywhere we can–and as students continue to make college decisions based on price, many private colleges and universities have taken notice.
Record Lows for Tuition Increases
It looks like private colleges and universities are making a serious effort to keep their students in the black this year. The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) is reporting the lowest tuition increase among these schools in 37 years!
Not since the 1972-73 school year have schools posted such a low percentage increase on tuition. The 2009-10 school year will see only an average 4.3% increase from last year’s price, in contrast to the average 6% increase we have seen over the past decade.
Higher Increases for Financial Aid
Happily, financial aid offerings have continued to outpace tuition increases. NAICU’s annual surveys have shown that student aid has increased by 250 percent over the past ten years, while tuition has risen only 72 percent.
More Big Changes in Affordability
As our stifled economy presses families’ pocketbooks, many schools are offering significant changes to maintain college affordability. Some of these new changes include:
- Replacing loans with grants,
- Cutting campus costs and/or suspending new hiring,
- Tuition and/or room and board freezes for current students,
- Discounts for certain alumni returning for grad school,
- Accelerated degree programs, and
- Matching public university tuition.
Many of these changes could change the way families view private college affordability. For a more complete picture of college affordability overhauls, NAICU offers this list of colleges and their planned 2009-10 affordability changes.
All the best,
Deborah Fox
Deborah Fox is the founder of Fox College Funding®, a nationwide company that helps families find creative ways to reduce their college costs.
photo: lusi
Subscribe in a reader
Subscribe by Email
Related Posts
With families still feeling the effects of the recession, many of us are intent on keeping costs down anywhere we can–and as students continue to make college decisions based on price, many private colleges and universities have taken notice.
Record Lows for Tuition Increases
It looks like private colleges and universities are making a serious effort to keep their students in the black this year. The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) is reporting the lowest tuition increase among these schools in 37 years!
Not since the 1972-73 school year have schools posted such a low percentage increase on tuition. The 2009-10 school year will see only an average 4.3% increase from last year’s price, in contrast to the average 6% increase we have seen over the past decade.
Higher Increases for Financial Aid
Happily, financial aid offerings have continued to outpace tuition increases. NAICU’s annual surveys have shown that student aid has increased by 250 percent over the past ten years, while tuition has risen only 72 percent.
More Big Changes in Affordability
As our stifled economy presses families’ pocketbooks, many schools are offering significant changes to maintain college affordability. Some of these new changes include:
- Replacing loans with grants,
- Cutting campus costs and/or suspending new hiring,
- Tuition and/or room and board freezes for current students,
- Discounts for certain alumni returning for grad school,
- Accelerated degree programs, and
- Matching public university tuition.
Many of these changes could change the way families view private college affordability. For a more complete picture of college affordability overhauls, NAICU offers this list of colleges and their planned 2009-10 affordability changes.
All the best,
Deborah Fox
Deborah Fox is the founder of Fox College Funding®, a nationwide company that helps families find creative ways to reduce their college costs.
photo: lusi
Subscribe in a reader
Subscribe by Email
Leave a Reply