Students at Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery will see higher tuition costs in the next academic year.
Kelli Shomaker, chief financial officer of the University, announced a 2.5% increase for Auburn students and a 3% increase for AUM students at a recent Board of Trustees meeting on Nov. 22.
The 2.5% increase will impact both in-state and out-of-state students and raise the average cost of attendance by $304 for in-state residents. Out-of-state students will see this same cost go up by $832. At AUM, costs per semester will increase from $323 to $330, and AUM expects to generate an additional $1.5 million in revenue as a result.
Tuition for credit hours during the fall 2020 semester is expected to increase from $409 to $420.
This increase comes at the same time as an enrollment cap, which was approved at the same meeting. Shomaker cited several reasons for the increased tuition cost.
“The Auburn state appropriations and tuition continues combined to maintain and strengthen our high-quality student experience in and out of the classroom,” Shomaker said. “The additional revenue is proposed to be implemented in the University’s strategic plan on goals such as improving our graduation and retention rates, recruiting in-state undergraduate students, recruiting excellent faculty and growing our research programs.”
Not all trustees present at the meeting were in favor of the move. James Rane, president and CEO of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Inc., expressed the need for postponing the higher costs on account of continually increasing higher education.
“I encourage that we delay considering this at this time until we see where our state appropriations are going,” Rane said.
Nonetheless, the tuition increase passed and was approved by the board’s finance committee at the meeting’s conclusion.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
