Feb. 15, 2006: Today, in a 15-3 vote, the University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees approved a tuition and fee increase for academic year 2006-2007 of 3.4 percent over current rates for in-state undergraduate students. The Board meeting was held on the UMass-Dartmouth campus.
University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson said, "For the third consecutive year, we have been able to keep our pledge to maintain the student charges increases below the increase in the rate of inflation, during those years in which the state increases the University's appropriation."
The current inflation rate is 3.6 percent, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for the Northeast Urban Region (CPIU NE).
Among the six New England flagship campuses, UMass-Amherst this year ranks fourth in total costs for in-state students. Over the past 10 years the average annual student charges (tuition and fees) increase at public universities nationally averaged 9.5 percent.
By comparison, student charges increases at UMass during the past 10 years averaged 7.5 percent. That period coincides with several years of deep cuts in the state's annual appropriation for the University. Student charges increases at UMass campuses for next academic year will range from $273 to $317 for in-state students.
News reports indicate that the State University of New York is proposing a 13 percent increase for next year, the University of Virginia is discussing a 10 percent increase over each of the next five years, the University of Maryland is proposing a 5.8 percent increase for next fall and the University of Oregon expects to approve an increase of between 5 and 7 percent.
The additional revenue to be raised by the tuition and fee increase will be used for a variety of purposes, including: the recruitment of new faculty members, maintenance and repair of facilities and technology upgrades.
Total mandatory student charges for academic year 2006-2007 will be:
- Amherst: $9,595
- Boston: $8,546
- Dartmouth: $8,309
- Lowell: $8,444
Contacts: Robert P. Connolly, 617.287.7073; Bill Wright, 617.287.7065