State cuts prompt tuition and fees increase at The Citadel
June 13, 2010
All-in” cost for in-state cadets to increase 6.3 percent
CHARLESTON, SC – June 12, 2010 – In the face of unprecedented cuts to The Citadel’s state funding, the college’s Board of Visitors on Saturday, June 12, 2010, voted to increase undergraduate and graduate tuition and fees next year.
The BOV approved increasing the “all-in” cost for in-state cadets by 6.3 percent, or $1,220 for freshmen and sophomores and $1,120 for junior and seniors. In addition, the board approved a 7 percent all-in cost increase for out-of-state cadets or $2,339 for freshmen and sophomores and $2,239 for junior and seniors. The Citadel Graduate College will see a 15 percent increase in the per credit hour fee.
“We are committed to keeping the cost to our students and their families within reach, but the college faces unprecedented cuts in its state appropriation. Raising tuition and fees was not an option but a necessity,” said Citadel President Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa. “Last year our increase in tuition and fees was the lowest in the last 10 years but the deep state cuts this year demand that we take action to ensure the quality our cadets, their families and the community expect from The Citadel.”
The new revenue will help off-set state appropriation cuts and will fund continued progress on the college’s strategic plan. The Blueprint, as it is called, guides the development of academic and leadership programs and enhances the role The Citadel plays in the Lowcountry’s growth. The increase also will provide support for financial aid, Rosa said.
“Our academic quality and commitment to financial aid is why U.S. News & World Report identified The Citadel as a ‘best buy,’ one of only two public colleges in our category in the county to earn that distinction,” Rosa said.
Sue Mitchell, vice president for finance and business affairs, said The Citadel has not passed on to families the total cost of state budget cuts. To do so would have required a 24 percent in-state tuition and fees increase and a 26 percent out-of-state increase, which is unacceptable, she said.
“While the mandatory tuition increases get much attention, what’s important to families is the true sticker price of attending The Citadel. The ‘all-in’ cost is what parents want to know when it is time to write a check,” Mitchell said. “Our all-in cost for in-state cadets is increasing 6.3 percent. It’s 7 percent for out-of-state cadets.”
State appropriations in support of The Citadel’s academic program have decreased from $16.3 million in 2007-2008 to $8.9 million for the upcoming fiscal year. That is a 45.4 percent, or $7.4 million, cut in state assistance. In 1994, the state funded 40 percent of the college’s budget. Next year the state will fund just 10 percent.
Because of the unique requirements in the Corps of Cadets, many costs that parents would pay over the course of a school year at other colleges and universities are paid up front at The Citadel. The “all-in” cost includes such things as room, board, laundry/dry cleaning, infirmary use and costs for uniforms, books and living expenses like haircuts and toiletries. These are mandatory costs because all cadets are required to live on campus and all cadets are required to purchase their uniforms their freshman year. And because cadets do not leave campus as often as other college students do, certain services like an infirmary and laundry and dry cleaning are provided on campus.
The BOV approved:
- a $60 per credit hour increase for in-state Graduate College students and a $24 per credit hour increase for undergraduate evening students.
- a 13 percent increase in mandatory tuition and fees for in-state cadets and a 10 percent increase for out-of-state cadets.
- a $160 decrease in cadet fees for room, laundry/dry cleaning and infirmary services.
- a $160 capital improvement fee for deferred maintenance on campus facilities.
- a $44 increase in cadet board costs to help with the rising cost of food.
- A leadership development fee of $200 for freshmen and sophomores and $100 for juniors and seniors. The money will pay for new E-Leadership portfolios, a sophomore leadership seminar, career services staff and programming expansion and initiatives in the Krause Center for Leadership and Ethics.
State mandatory tuition and fees will increase:
- From $8,735 to $9,871 for in-state cadets (13 percent).
- From $22,545 to $24,800 for out-of-state cadets (10 percent).
The “all-in” cost to enroll in the Corps of Cadets will be:
| In State | Out-of-state | |
| Freshmen | $22,949 ($21,729) | $37,878 ($35,539) |
| Sophomores | $18,883 ($17,663) | $33,812 ($31,473) |
| Juniors and Seniors | $18,783 ($17,663) | $33,712 ($31,473) |
(Numbers in parenthesis are 2009-2010)
This represents an “all-in” cost increase of 6.3 percent for in-state cadets and 7 percent for out-of-state cadets.
The total per credit hour cost to students enrolled in The Citadel’s Graduate College will be:
| In State | Out-of-state | |
| Graduate | $460 ($400) | $756 ($657) |
| Undergraduate | $365 ($341) | $640 ($598) |
| Professional Development | $123 ($123) | $364 ($364) |
(Numbers in parenthesis are 2009-2010)
Related links:
news.citadel.edu -News and Events
externalaffairs.citadel.edu – External Affairs
www.citadel.edu – Homepage
