Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

PSU More Expensive, Natch, But How Much?

Penn State students have followed with varying degrees of interest this summer’s budget battles: one between the Democrats and Republicans within Pennsylvania’s state government and another between Governor Ed Rendell and Graham Spanier. The former was over the state’s budget and the latter an argument about the very identity of Penn State: are we public or private?

We don’t have a good answer for you– we’re not even sure what we are– but over the past few months many students and parents were unaware of this tussle. Now, however, they are seeing its effects first hand as bills begin to call for attention. Penn State will be more expensive next year (and it’s already pretty expensive to begin with).

dolla-dolla-joe

For an average in-state freshman at UP, tuition for two semesters this year will cost $14,416 total, or $7,208 per semester. That breaks down to $6802 in pure ‘tuition,’ $76 activity fee, $230 IT fee, and $100 facilities fee. This represents a total increase of $295. Out of state students will see their tuition rise 3.7%, or $443.

Room and board rates are also rising. Last fall, the Board of Trustees had approved an average of 4.5% increase in room and board rates, a $225 increase per semester. The average underclassman in a double will pay $4,060 for room and board per semester.

All together, the average underclassman at UP will see an increase of $1,040 over the course of the year. We’d love to hear in the comments what students and faculty think of the increase and how it can be stemmed in future years.

Wondering how the tuition increase compares to other Big Ten schools? Well, first off, Penn State is the most expensive public (or are we?) university in the Big Ten. (Northwestern’s tuition is $38,461, average for a private university.)

Our tuition increase is the 6th highest in the Big Ten by percent but the 6th highest in gross dollars. Northwestern has the greatest increase per semester ($660) and Michigan has the second greatest ($622).

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Davis

Creator of @OnwardState. Big fan of sweaters.

State College Goodwill Sells Rare Lego Piece For Over $18,000

While it took some time for Goodwill experts to know what they had on their hands, initial offers for the peice came in at $30,000.

New Defensive Coordinator Tom Allen Brings Key Wrinkles To Penn State Football’s Defense

“We try to keep things simple so we can play fast.”

Women’s History Month: Five Influential Penn State Alumnae

To celebrate Women’s History Month, learn more about five influential Penn State Alumnae.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.4kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Davis

Penn State and the Process of Life

To paraphrase Mark Twain: The reports of higher education’s death have been an exaggeration. American universities produce more research and relevant knowledge for the world at large than any other institutions I know of. Tuition may be too damn high, but over the long-run, undergraduate degrees are definitely worth the cost. But Penn State could be so much more. It used to be, I think.

Bonded in Blue, White, and Worry

43 Simmons