BYU is set to increase tuition by 3 percent for the 2015–2016 academic year.
The increase translates to $75 for LDS undergraduate students and $95 for LDS students in advanced-standing or graduate school. Law and Graduate School of Management students will see a $175 increase.
The rise in tuition is designed to compensate for cost increases such as salaries, payroll benefits, travel, supplies, library and laboratory materials.
BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said the university goal is to keep costs low for all BYU students.
“We work very hard to use the resources available to us in a prudent and wise manner, but the reality is that costs do go up,” Jenkins said.
The university understands that there might be some confusion on when this increase will take effect. Jenkins clarified that the tuition increase will not take effect until the commencement of the 2015–2016 academic year.
“We do not want any confusion. This will not begin in January,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins said it’s not mere opinion when she says it’s important for BYU students to realize what a great value BYU offers. BYU recently matched the highest rankings in its history.
According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 Best Colleges ranking, the university is rated No. 4 for students with “Least Debt” and No. 14 for “Best Value School.”
BYU tuition prices are undoubtedly low when compared to other universities with similar or even lower academic rankings. This is made possible by support from the LDS Church, which strives to make obtaining a high-quality education as inexpensive as possible.
Although the increases for non-LDS students will be double what they will be for LDS students, the Church helps maintain relatively low tuition expenses for all BYU students.
“We are very grateful for the support of our sponsoring church, which benefits every single student at BYU,” Jenkins said.
