Does the tuition cost outweigh the resources and experiences at CSB+SJU?

In a recent New York Times article titled “Some Colleges Will Soon Charge $100,000 a Year. How Did This Happen?”, Vanderbilt University students who do not receive need-based or merit-based aid may potentially pay up to $100,000 or more including the costs of tuition, textbooks, room and board and any other school fees the university may charge. While a small percentage of college students will actually pay that amount, we can likely see this increase in tuition becoming a trend across other colleges and universities, specifically in private institutions.

The sticker prices for colleges and universities are no joke. There has been an increase trend of these sticker prices for institutions across the country. Here at CSB+SJU, our sticker price is around $52,700 this fiscal year for tuition alone. On average, almost two thirds of that price is taken care of by CSB+SJU scholarships. Each year, the tuition is raised about 3.5-4%, but that doesn’t mean people are paying that much more. It is a balancing act that is discussed and assessed each year.

Tuition transparency is important for colleges and universities, specifically private institutions with high tuition prices. We met with Ben Stommes, director of strategic analytics & financial strategy, where he informed us about the various resources available to incoming students, as well as current students. While over the years CSB+SJU’s tuition has looked as though it is increasing, the sticker price has been consistently offset by CSB+SJU scholarship funding.

These prices that are shown off the bat can deter students from looking at private institutions with the assumption that they cannot pay that sticker price. But in reality, most private institutions offer many need-based and merit scholarships in hopes to make paying for college achievable for students and families.

According to a report done by the College Board, “In 2019-20, 18% of full-time students at private nonprofit four-year institutions received enough grant aid to cover their tuition and fees, including 35% of those from families with incomes of less than $40,000 and 7% of those from families with incomes of $120,000 or more.”

This can also be applied to Vanderbilt as they have recently stated that they would be offering full-tuition scholarships for admitted students who come from a family with an annual income of $150,000 or less. They reiterated the importance of making sure students and their families do not have to worry about attending there in the first place.

Looking at other private institutions throughout Minnesota, the sticker prices vary, but the actuality of price doesn’t reflect whether you’ll be paying a higher or lower tuition compared to competing schools. For example, a school can show that their tuition is lower than others, but the scholarships may not reflect that “cheaper” price. This circles back to the importance of transparency when looking at school choices and financial aid.

So, do these tuition prices outweigh the experiences and resources we receive here at CSB+SJU? This answer can vary from student to student, but we have found that many students think the resources and experiences CSB+SJU provides are priceless.

Jessica Calderon, a CSB senior, talked about her experiences here at CSB+SJU and what drew her to attend CSB+SJU.

Calderon said via email, “I chose CSB+SJU because of the rate of success—being #1 and #2 for employment placement according to Zippa and the phenomenal percentage of students who study abroad within their four years! CSB+SJU holds a special place in my heart because of its emphasis on liberal arts education, through which I acquired essential skills like critical thinking, effective communication and problem-solving, all crucial in navigating today’s interconnected world.”

Xavier Jones, a SJU first-year, also talked about his experience so far at CSB+SJU, as well as why he chose to come here.

“I personally believe that tuition does not outweigh the benefits of this great institution. As a first-year I have found in my first year I have made lifelong memories in a short time span. The resources are just as exciting. The idea of meeting a Johnnie on the street and being able to strike up a conversation excites me. The resources the school provides from job sourcing to connection with alumni . . . excites me,” Jones said via email.

At first glance, CSB+SJU might not look affordable to attend. And to some, even after receiving financial aid offers and scholarships, it still might not be the most affordable option.

But we like to believe that CSB+SJU can offer more than just two campuses for students to attend. There is a community that can be built here on these two campuses and can be taken beyond into post-graduate life. There is effort put into campus life, opportunities that other colleges don’t give to students and memories that can last a lifetime.

We hope that other students here at CBS+SJU find that their experiences and the resources that the campuses offer will benefit them beyond their years here.