On Oct. 2, 2012, BYU announced the LDS undergraduate tuition will increase from $2,355 in the 2012–2013 academic year to $2,425 for the 2013–2014 academic year. This is a 3.3 percent increase or $70 more per semester.
The recent tuition increase to $2,425 per semester is a far cry from the $130 students paid in 1960, but a gallon of gas isn’t 31 cents anymore either. Despite the tuition increase, students still value their education at BYU.
Mariah Bunting, 19, from Arroyo, Calif., said she appreciates the good environment BYU provides for her and other students.
“You can’t find another place like this,” Bunting said. “It’s easy to live a good life here. Most everyone is LDS, and everyone is kind. It’s a good environment that you can’t find anywhere else.”
Bunting said she expects the tuition increase is because of overall cost increases, and she doesn’t mind it.
“In comparison to paying $50,000 for tuition at other schools, a $70 increase isn’t that much,” Bunting said.
A statement on the BYU tuition website states tuition rates are decided annually by the university’s Board of Trustees. Todd Hollingstead, university information manager, explained how the tuition rate decision is reached and said the percent increase is similar to that of the past three years.
“(The Board of Trustees) considers all the costs necessary, and they look at the rising cost of running a university,” Hollingstead said. “A lot of things are considered, and they make those decisions and go forward.”
University Spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said a tuition rate increase is standard for universities as costs change. She said BYU is fortunate to have the support of its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as it strives to keep tuition rates affordable.
“If you do look at the BYU tuition rate increases, particularly over the past several years, they are very minimal in comparison to public and private universities,” Jenkins said. “Our goal is to be able to keep tuition at a rate that our students can afford, while at the same time provide them with a superb education.”
Other BYU students, like Bunting, responded positively to the tuition increase.
“It’s OK with me,” said Brent Dorf, a sophomore studying chemical engineering. “It’s still cheaper than any schools in California.”
Heidi Hoyt, a freshman from Bellingham, Wash., said the increase will affect her summer plans.
“For me it means I need to work harder in the summer,” Hoyt said. “I pay tuition and books. It makes what I work for worth something. I’m working for my education.”
More information about the tuition rates can be found at finserve.byu.edu/content/tuition-and-general-fees.
