Cabrini tuition rate increase higher than area schools

by Joe Holden staff writer

A recent comparison of area colleges and universities showed that while a few raised their tuition at a high rate, most fell well below Cabrini's increase of 9.71 percent.

A strong economic market and more federal and state funding are partly responsible for the smallest increase in college tuition and fees in four years, as reported by the Princeton, New Jersey based College Board.

Tuition and fees across the nation tapered off at a little under five percent. Select area colleges' tuitions and fees rose just above five percent. Area college personnel attribute the small increase to tight budgeting and cut backs on extravagant and unwarranted spending.

Villanova University's tuition and fees combined for this school year are $20,230, as compared with last year's $19,410; a rise of 4.2 percent. The school's room and board costs combined are $7,830. Last year's costs were $7,660; a gain of a 2 percent. Villanova explained that there are many degree options that differ in price. The tuition and fees recorded above are for its liberal arts degree. Villanova also bas many housing options. The example listed above is the most economical choice available.

Eastern College, neighbor to Cabrini, had a total operating increase of 4 percent from last year. The current tuition, including fees is $13,728. Room and board expenses are $5,878. Eastern College's tuition and fees from the 1998-1999 school year were $13,179. Room and board expenses were $5,643.

The College Board reported an average tuition for a four-year private college to be $15,380, as compared to last year's $14,709a 4.6 percent change. The cost of room and board on a four-year private college campus for the current school year was listed at $5,959. Last year cost 3.6 percent less at $5,754.

Neumann College, located in Aston, Pa., saw a 3 percent increase in tuition and fees. Students attending Neumann currently pay $13,850, as compared to last year's $13,450. Remarkably, Neumann's room and board fees saw a three percent decrease between this fiscal year and the last. Students pay $6,380 currently. Last year's rate at Neumann was $6,580.

·'More expectations are on colleges, whether public or private, to work hard to control costs," said Kenn Marshall, director of communications for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Association. "Colleges are now held more accountable to keep their costs down."

Bryn Mawr College's tuition saw a three percent rise from last year's $22,355 (including fees). Students currently pay $23,225. Room and board rose 2.9 percent from last year. Students now pay $8,100, as opposed to last year's $7,870.

PENNSYLVANIA TUITION, 1999-2000

St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia increased its tuition and room and board by 8 percent. This year's tuition is $17,890. Last year's tuition was $16,459. There is a student fee of $500. This fee did not increase during the two years. Room and board at St. Joseph's for this school year is $7,814; last year's was $6,913.

Marshall's response to why college tuitions increase cited that general operating expenses, utilities, and other costs quickly deplete the budget, therefore the need for more income is satisfied by raising the tuition of the school.

"Personnel expenses (salary, benefits) consume between 75 to 80 percent of a school's budget," Marshall said. "Personnel increases are at least the rate of inflation or a little above."

Marshall explained that the state of Pennsylvania increased its employee's salaries by 3 percent and their health benefits by 14 percent. This well exceeded the rate of inflation. The rate of inflation, which is the persistent rise of consumer prices or decline of the purchasing power of money, nationally, has only risen 2 percent over recent years.

"Speaking from the state's per- spective, there has been more pressure by the government to keep the tuition down. The state schools have been working very hard to control spending," Marshall said. ''Two years ago, tuition for state schools was frozen along with the same effort-to keep costs down." Pressure emanating from the state government to keep state schools' costs down is making strides in conserving muchneeded funds. However, this does not mean that every school has to follow it. The state oversees the public schools, like Temple and Penn. State. Private schools, like Cabrini, are able to implement and adjust their tuitions as they see fit.

Christina Taulane, a junior and elementary education major at Cabrini thinks that the small increase in tuition seen this year has been long awaited. "Cabrini's high increase as compared to the national level of increase is odd," Taulane said. ''The enrollment at Cabrini is up, which means more money. Why is there a need for such a large increase?"