At the recommendation of President William Perry, Eastern Illinois University's Board of Trustees on Monday approved a 5.9 percent increase in the resident tuition rate for new undergraduate students.
EIU's resident tuition rate will increase from $254 to $269 per semester credit hour for students entering the university during the 2011-2012 school year. This means that those with an average 15-course load will pay $4,035 per semester.
Incoming resident undergraduate students will be able to lock in the new tuition rate for four continuous academic years, as provided by the state's "Truth in Tuition" law. The proposed rate increase is the smallest percentage increase since "Truth in Tuition" was implemented in the 2004-05 academic year.
The new tuition rate also applies to all resident graduate students attending the university.
The locked-in per-semester-hour tuition rates for returning in-state undergraduate students are as follows (according to the year students entered EIU): 2008-2009, $218; 2009-2010, $239; and 2010-11, $254.
No new fee increases were proposed at Monday's meeting. However, previously approved staged fee increases were presented for confirmation.
University officials consider a number of factors, such as the likely level of state funding, estimated increases in financial obligations and the impact of previously implemented cost containment measures, before determining their tuition recommendation to the board.
"We proposed to our Board of Trustees a tuition rate that enables investment in the quality of our programs, while maintaining our commitment to affordability," Perry said. "We continue our strong stewardship of state funds and student tuition and fee funds by being efficient in our operations and providing program excellence."
Booth House
Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Ave.
Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-7400
jdreinhart@eiu.edu