CSB+SJU incrementally increase tuition
CSB+SJU's tuition will increase next year by 3.5% due to inflation and staff salaries. For current students, Academic Achievement or merit-based scholarships will not adjust with the increase in tuition, though incoming students will receive adjusted scholarships.
Next academic year CSB+SJU students will see a 3.5% increase in the price of tuition. The price of tuition is the same for CSB and SJU students, but there is variation in the mandatory fees.
The current price for tuition and mandatory fees for the 2022-2023 school year is $52,108 for CSB students and $52,164 for SJU students. A 3.5% increase in tuition and fees would be adding $1,823.78 for CSB students and $1,825.74 for SJU students. Last year, the price of tuition alone for both CSB and SJU was $48,990. The price of tuition this year is $50,950, which was a 4% increase. From 2015 to the current year, tuition and fees for both CSB and SJU have increased between 3.4-3.9% each year.
From the 2020-2021 academic year to the 2021-2022 academic year, there was a 3.9% increase in CSB tuition and fees and a 4.6% increase for SJU tuition and fees. The cost of tuition tends to increase each year due to factors like inflation, which has been high in recent months.
Executive Director of Financial Aid Stuart Perry discussed the different reasons for the increase, including inflation and the need to cover employee salaries.
“Generally, tuition goes up every year due to inflation, and we are seeing high rates of inflation,” Perry said.
Perry also explained that tuition is used for covering staff salaries and other additional costs such as benefits.
“Tuition revenue is the primary source of income for CSB+SJU, and this primary source of income is used to help fund the primary expense of the institutions, which is faculty and staff compensation,” Perry said.
In addition to the increase in tuition, scholarships are a main question. For current CSB+SJU students, Academic Achievement or merit-based scholarships, which are determined by high school GPA and ACT scores will remain the same. Many students also have need-based grants and scholarships which are determined after students fill out their FAFSA. The amount of financial aid given depends on the student’s need in accordance with the CSB+SJU standards.
As tuition increases, there are questions as to how CSB+SJU will remain competitive with other comparable private schools in terms of cost. Perry discussed increasing the number of merit-based scholarships, giving more academic-based scholarshipsand raising the amount for each range of merit scholarships.
“You’ll note, for example, that admitted students for fall ‘22 with a 3.60 – 3.79 high school GPA received a scholarship ranging from $20,000 – $25,000, whereas fall ’23 admittance with a GPA in that range will receive between $23,000 – $27,000. A scholarship range adjustment of this nature is considered, though not always implemented, for each new applicant pool in order for CSB+SJU to remain competitive on net price,” Perry said.
Ultimately, tuition and fees are increasing, but this is not uncommon as the price has increased in past years.
“CSB+SJU tuition cost will go up next year, and we are trying to keep that percentage lower than inflation,” Perry said.
The rise in tuition is concerning for some students.
“Obviously, as a college student I am ultimately not pleased with the increase, but I understand inflation has gone up and things cost more. But it is still important for CSB+SJU to make students aware of this increase they will be paying,” CSB sophomore Abbi Pexa said.
Many students are not aware of the increase in tuition and do not notice right away.
“I can understand the reasons why tuition is going up and that makes sense but with the schools not saying anything many students may not even realize the increase, and that could come as a surprise to them later,” CSB sophomore Maddy Fuller said.
