By Andrew Pete
BYU will raise tuition in all its programs for the 2007-08 academic year by 6.1 percent.
The increase will raise tuition and fees for full-time LDS students to $1,920 per semester, a $110 jump from the previous year. Graduate tuition and fees will increase to $2,430 per semester, up $140. The increase is in response to the rising costs associated with providing a quality education for students.
'The increase is necessary to keep pace with the continuing rising costs of operating the university,' said Carri Jenkins, BYU spokeswoman. 'BYU carries out a very disciplined resource planning process that emphasizes an efficient use of resources.'
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints owns and operates BYU, which is one of the nation''s largest private universities. A significant portion of the costs associated with tuition and fees is paid for by the tithes of the Church''s members, creating a relatively inexpensive university in comparison with national four-year private universities.
According to an annual report compiled by the College Board, national tuition costs for private four-year colleges increased 5.9 percent to $22,218.
Students at the J. Reuben Clark Law School and graduate students at the Marriott School of Management will pay $4,350 per semester, an increase of $250 over the last year.
Spring and summer term tuition costs for undergraduate students was raised $55 to $960. Graduate students who attend during the spring and summer will pay $1,215, an increase of $70.
As in the past, students who are not members of the LDS Church will pay more in tuition and fees than students who are members, but even those rates are below average when compared with other universities.
'BYU rates for non-member students are comparable with, or even less than, non-resident rates at many state universities,' Jenkins said.