The COVID-19 pandemic left not only businesses and individuals struggling, but universities as well. After the pandemic, college application rates began to drop, while the cost of living continued to rise.
Following the conclusion of the spring semester, the University of Northern Colorado sent out an email to students. The school mentioned that there would be changes in tuition and student fees for the 2022-2023 school year. The Board of Trustees decided to increase tuition and student fees anywhere from 2 to 7% higher than last term.
UNC has been known to be a more affordable state school in comparison to schools like Colorado State University and the University of Colorado. However, now students are second guessing UNC’s affordability after raising costs. UNC alum Taylor Kassel mentioned their opinions on the increase.
“It used to be a very affordable school to come to. Now that it’s increasing, it’s making me want to look into other graduate programs and schools that are more within budget,” Kassel said.
The reasons for the increase are due to the recent university construction and inflation. The school revealed some of the changes that would be made. There will be a 2% increase for both undergraduate residents and graduate tuition. Undergraduate non-resident tuition as well as student fees will go up 3%. The university also mentioned a 5% increase for on-campus housing, and a 7% increase for meal plan rates.
According to the university, the 2% increase totals to a $167 increase in tuition for full-time undergraduate resident students. The 3% increase totals to a $639 increase for non-resident undergrads. Breaking it down even further, a 2% increase adds $16 for every three credit course, and the 3% totals to a $64 increase for each three credit course. These alterations seem like small percentages, but it adds up quickly.
While this may not seem too drastic, it is not what some students expected. Abby Meyer, a third-year student, discussed their thoughts on the tuition raise.
“It’s also hard for the students who have been coming here, to have to pay more than the initial years,” Meyer said.
