Syracuse University recently joined the 50K Club, a group of 123 universities across the nation that charge more than $50,000 for tuition, room and board, and other fees, according to a study titled ‘Trends in College Pricing’ published by The College Board.

Though the cost of tuition itself is $18,150 per semester, according to MySlice, the rest of the cost is split up between room, board and transportation. MySlice also estimates the costs for books, supplies and personal expenses. The total cost of tuition for the 2011-12 school year is $50,921, according to the study.

Although it’s true this cost increased by 3.8 percent this year, this has been the lowest increase in 46 years, said Kevin Quinn, senior vice president for public affairs, in an email.

‘During the past several years, the Chancellor (and the) Board of Trustees have made a concerted effort to keep tuition increases as low as possible,’ Quinn said.

Quinn said because SU is a private institution, the financial needs of the university, including expenses for buildings, dining halls and faculty, are paid for by tuition.

Matthew Koslow, a junior biology and forensic science major, said although he received financial aid, his parents started saving for his education when they were very young.

Koslow will graduate with no loans. But this is not the case for everyone.

Dan Grove, a freshman writing and rhetoric major, said that he received money at the federal level, but he did not receive any financial aid from the university. His dad lost his job last June, but because he is considered ‘upper-middle class,’ SU rejected his appeal, he said.

SU provided $178 million in SU-funded aid to undergraduate students this year.

‘We are very fortunate to have a Chancellor and other institutional leaders who understand the importance of ensuring that we have a strong financial aid program to assist those families who need financial aid to help pay for tuition and other related expenses,’ Youlonda Copeland- Morgan, associate vice president for enrollment management and director of scholarships and student aid, said in an email.

But for students like Grove, paying back loans is a real concern.

‘It is all a matter of whether or not I get a job right out of college. If I do, then I will be fine. If I don’t, I am probably going to have it linger over me for a long time,’ he said.

Koslow said he knew many friends who may not return for financial reasons.

Despite the increasing costs, the university has a commitment, Copeland-Morgan said.

She said: ‘The university is very committed to keeping costs as low as possible without decreasing the quality of the teaching, instruction and research that is characteristic of a Syracuse education.’ 

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Published on November 6, 2011 at 12:00 pm

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