UMass Total Cost Still Falls Below Other Public and
Private Universities in the Northeast
WORCESTER - March 14, 2007: The Board of Trustees of the University of Massachusetts approved a 3.4 percent increase in student charges for the 2007-2008 academic year during a meeting held today at the UMass Medical School. The increase was recommended by University of Massachusetts President Jack M. Wilson who has sought to keep increases in tuition and fees at or below the rate of inflation. The current rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Northeast Urban Region, is 3.6 percent.
"For the fourth year in a row we have been able to keep our commitment to limiting student charges increases so that our campuses will remain affordable and accessible, even as we strive to achieve academic excellence throughout the five campus UMass system," said President Wilson.
Stephen P. Tocco, chairman of the Board of Trustees, added, "I think this is a fair and modest increase. We have reviewed proposed increases for other university systems here in the Northeast and ours is the lowest, by far."
Tuition and fees at our four undergraduate campuses will rise, on average, from $8,918 to $9,221.
Tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate student during academic year 2007-2008 will be:
Amherst: $9,921 Boston: $8,837 Dartmouth: $8,592 Lowell: $8,731
Total costs for an in-state undergraduate student for 2007-2008, including room and board, will be:
Amherst: $17,399 Boston: $8,837 Dartmouth: $17,755 Lowell: $15,709
(Note: UMass Boston does not have campus housing.)
Financial Aid
During FY2007, UMass met 89 percent of undergraduates' demonstrated financial need. This year, UMass students are receiving $402 million in financial aid, with approximately $72 million of that aid coming directly from the University. During the 2007-2008 academic year, at least $3,950,000 in additional University institutional funds will be added to need-based student financial aid, representing more than 20 percent of all new fee revenues.
President Wilson, noting the importance of increasing financial aid as a key component in the University's strategy to assist students, said, "Providing an affordable and accessible education of high quality is an important part of our mission as the Commonwealth's public university. Adequate funding of the financial aid program is necessary to insure that every qualified student has the opportunity to pursue the goal of earning a University degree."
Contact: Bill Wright, 617.287.7065