WASHINGTON
Tuition rates increased by 5 percent at four-year
independent colleges and universities according to a report released by
the College Board in September.
While that is the same rate change as last year and marks the tenth
straight year that the rate of increase has held steady or declined, it
is still well over the rate of inflation, which was calculated at 2
percent.
According to the College Board, the 1997-98 unweighted average
tuition and fees for four-year independent institutions was $11,721
compared with $11,173 the previous year. For two-year independent
colleges, tuition and fees rose from $6,823 to $7,100, an increase of 4
percent between 1996-97 and 1997-98.
“The rising cost of educating students for work and life in the
twenty-first century is making it increasingly difficult for colleges
and universities to hold the line on tuition. But as we see from the
College Board report, this is clearly being done,” said David L.
Warren, president of the National Association of Independent Colleges
and Universities (NAICU).
A recently released NAICU survey also found that 91 percent of
respondents are increasing the amount of institutional aid in their
operating budgets earmarked for low- and middle-income students, and 97
percent are increasing their institutional fundraising efforts to
provide more scholarships for needy students.
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