WIU Tuition Reduction

University News

WIU Tuition Reduction

January 4, 2016

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MACOMB, IL -- The Western Illinois University Board of Trustees approved a tuition recommendation that will reduce the cost of tuition by three percent for new incoming undergraduate students who are accepted, and enroll, for the 2016-17 academic year.

The President's Student Cost Task Force Committee, led by Vice President for Student Services Gary Biller, conducted a study of price elasticity of tuition. The committee recommended to the President's Leadership Team that the University reduce its tuition rate for first-year students and provide additional discounts to high quality and qualified students.

"The move to reduce tuition is in response to what students and their families are seeking: a high quality and affordable college education. Western Illinois University prides itself in being a student-centered institution, and as such, we are proactive in meeting the needs of our students and our state," said WIU President Jack Thomas. "While we are facing critical budgetary challenges, prospective students and their families, and our state, need higher education to be affordable. Students deserve access to the quality education Western Illinois University provides."

The 2016-2017 tuition rate for incoming domestic undergraduate students will be set at $8,541 annually ($284.70 per credit hour, based on 30 credit hours). In addition, the in-state tuition rate has been extended to all qualifying (domestic) undergraduate students. All incoming domestic graduate students will also be offered the in-state graduate tuition rate. Previously, the in-state rate was available only to students from Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin.

"At a time when other universities are raising costs for incoming, and even current, students, while state and federal funding for grant and loan programs is decreasing, Western Illinois University is stepping forward to ensure that qualified students have access to an affordable college education," Thomas added.

The 2016-2017 tuition discount, as well as fees, room and meal plan, will remain set under Western's Cost Guarantee program. Tuition, fees, room and meal plan are fixed for a four-year period and remain in effect as long as a student maintains continuous enrollment. Western was the first university in Illinois to offer this guarantee, and is the only university in the state to include fees, room and meal plan in that guarantee.

Fee, room and meal plan rates for 2016-2017 will be set at the March 2016 Board of Trustees meeting.