Late last month, the Board of Trustees approved an increase on tuition for all new incoming students. Due to issues with state funding and other factors it seems there is an increase every year.
For most students, this increase seems like a bad idea. College is expensive enough, right? The university is only looking out for themselves when they make these decisions.
Wrong.
Unfortunately, most students do not realize that the increases year to year are barely noticeable. Yes, in comparison to 10 years ago college tuition has significantly increased, but so has the cost of living.
On top of that, Illinois State University has consistently shown their careful consideration for college affordability for students from every background and walk of life.
Despite having to increase tuition because of changes in state funding, the Board of Trustees has done everything possible to keep tuition prices as low they can while making sure students continue to have quality education at ISU.
In fact, during the meeting, several members of the board expressed their disappointment with having to increase tuition costs at all. They mentioned the importance of keeping higher education available to as many people as they can and even voiced their concerns from a parent’s perspectives.
Additionally, a measly 1.6 percent increase is nothing compared to private and other public state institutions who have increased tuition by significantly more.
In April, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Board of Trustees approved a tuition increase of 5 percent for all new incoming students. After knowing that, a 1.6 percent increase does not sound bad, does it?
Remember, these tuition increases do not directly affect returning students and any future increases will not affect those who will paying this Fall’s increase.
So before you begin to complain about how outrageous these increases are and about how much money school is, please remember that your school is doing all they can to ensure a quality education for an affordable price.
Redbirds, be proud to be amongst a community of administrators who care more about you than they do the amount of money they can put in their pockets. It could always be worse. You are still getting the some of the best possible education and experiences for the best prices out there.
