Cornell College will raise tuition 2.38 percent for the 2014-15 academic year, the smallest increase in more than a decade.
Tuition will increase from $36,205 to $37,275, room and board will remain at $8,500, and the student activity fee will remain at $225, bringing the total cost to $46,000.
“A college education is a substantial investment, and families are concerned both about the cost of attending and the value a college provides to its students and graduates,” said Colleen Murphy, vice president for enrollment and dean of admission. “By keeping our tuition increase as small as possible, we’re doing what we can to make a Cornell College education affordable and accessible to as many students as possible.”
Ninety-six percent of Cornell students receive some kind of financial aid, whether merit scholarships or need-based aid. This year the college gave out more than $24 million in aid, the largest single expense in the college’s budget.
Cornell has been recognized by numerous publications for the value its education offers. This year it was named one of the 20 “Best Buys” in higher education by the “Fiske Guide to Colleges,” and one of the 100 best values in liberal arts education by Kiplinger’s. It has also been called a “Great School at a Great Price” by U.S. News and World Report. Ninety-three percent of Cornell graduates earn their degrees in four years, compared to the national average of slightly more than five years.
“Cornell is committed to offering a life-changing education that’s affordable, and our tuition remains lower than many of our peer institutions,” Murphy said. “By keeping our tuition increase low, we’re increasing the value a Cornell education already offers.”