ASU proposes modest tuition increase for 2013-14

Arizona State University has submitted a proposal to the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) that includes a modest tuition increase of 3 percent for all students on all campuses for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Other than the zero percent increase last year for resident undergraduate students, this represents the lowest percent increase in the last decade and recognizes base cost inflation. It also reinforces ASU’s commitment to providing high-quality education while maintaining accessibility for students.

The Arizona Board of Regents will vote on the recommendation during the April 4-5 meeting in Tucson.

Room and board rate proposals for next year will be submitted within a few weeks.

In the last 10 years, ASU has grown from around 50,000 students in 2002 to more than 73,000 students today, all the while maintaining rigorous traditional admissions requirements of public research universities committed to academic excellence:

• an international survey ranked ASU the 79th best research university in the world

• U.S. News and World Report ranks ASU as one of the top national research universities

• a Wall Street Journal study ranked ASU fifth nationally for job readiness of its graduates

• Forbes recently named ASU one of America’s "Best College Buys"

While the percentage increase is the same across the board for all students, the specific dollar amounts of the proposed increase depend on students’ current base tuition, which is determined by major, the year they entered ASU and the campus at which they study. The increase range for resident undergraduates is $180 to $276 a year; for undergraduate non-residents it is from $270 to $675 a year; for resident graduate students, the increase is $299 a year; and for non-resident graduate students it is $736 a year. For specific breakdowns of the proposal, visit: asu.edu/yourtuition.

The proposal includes a 4 percent increase per credit hour for ASU Online undergraduate and graduate students. This is in line with ABOR policy to set online charges based on “market and other factors.”

For specific information on differential tuition and program fees, please visit asu.edu/yourtuition.

Tuition levels beyond the 2013-2014 academic year will depend on the level of future state investment and other factors. ASU receives the lowest support per FTE student when compared to the other two Arizona universities. ASU received its first payment to correct that disparity in FY2013. If funded, the recommendation would bring an additional $48 million to ASU over the next four years.

Tuition hearings are scheduled to take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., March 27, at the following locations:

• Tempe campus, Alumni Lounge, MU
• West campus, Sun Devil Fitness Complex Multipurpose Room II
• Polytechnic campus, Poly Peralta 135
• Downtown Phoenix campus, NHI2-110

Those who cannot attend the hearing can send their comments via e-mail to the Arizona Board of Regents at tuition@azregents.edu; by regular mail, at 2020 N. Central Ave., Suite 230, Phoenix, AZ 85004; or by fax at (602) 229-2555. All comments received prior to March 30 at 5 p.m. will be shared with the regents in advance of the April 4-5 Board meeting.

To review proposed tuition rates and specific differential tuition for school, program and course fee increases, visit asu.edu/yourtuition.