ND 2001-2002 tuition hike lowest since 1959
By JASON McFARLEY
News Editor
In what Notre Dame officials are touting as the lowest tuition increase in more than 40 years, the University recently announced a nearly 5 percent increase in undergraduate tuition, a change that will ring up average costs at $30,530 for the 2001-2002 academic year.
The 4.9 percent hike, announced in a recent letter to the parents of freshman, sophomore and junior students, translates to a $1,430 increase in current tuition and fees. It raises tuition to $24,320 and room and board to $6,210.
The current cost of a Notre Dame undergraduate education stands around $29,100 after last years 5.2 percent jump.
For about the past four decades, the University's Board of Trustees has approved annual increases in tuition. This year's increase is the lowest since 1959, when there was no increase from the previous year.
"Quality higher education is expensive, and we are determined to maintain the level of excellence which has given a Notre Dame degree its special value," said University President Father Edward Malloy in an early-March letter to parents. "At the same time, we benchmark with peer institutions to make sure we are in touch with best practices in cost control and efficiency."
Officials said Notre Dame charges remain far below those of similar private institutions.
Dennis Moore, director of Public Relations and Information, said the most recent tuition increase is tied to the record-breaking fundraising success of the Generations campaign and continued growth in the University endowment.
"There's no doubt the Generations campaign was instrumental in this record low increase," Moore said of the three-year venture that raised more than $1 billion. "The growth of the endowment also played a large part."
Moore said the endowment and Generations have also contributed to the University's ability to meet students' need. He said increased resources now allow Notre Dame to meet the full financial need of undergraduate students.
According to a 2001 annual report prepared by the Office of Financial Aid, the amount of scholarship aid awarded annually by the University to undergraduate students increased by 21.5 percent in the past year.
"We've gone from a position of being non-competitive to the point where we can fully meet the demonstrated need of our students," Moore said.
In addition to undergraduate costs, the Board of Trustees at a recent meeting approved three other tuition increases. Graduate school tuition is up 4.9 percent to $24,220, and tuition for the Law School and Masters of Business Administration program is up 4.8 percent to $24,920.
All News Stories for Wednesday, March 21, 2001
