Huntington University announces tuition freeze for 2013-2014

HUNTINGTON, Ind. Huntington University today announced a tuition freeze for the 2013-14 academic year. For the second time in a decade, the university's Board of Trustees approved a zero percent tuition increase. The tuition freeze will apply to all incoming and returning students, including traditional undergraduates, adults enrolled in professional programs, and graduate students.

"In these uncertain economic times, students and parents will have one less worry," said President G. Blair Dowden. "While the cost of higher education has escalated across the nation, Huntington University is holding the line on tuition. That's one reason Huntington was listed as a regional best value for five of the past six years. We have worked hard to keep costs competitive while delivering outstanding value and excellent educational results."

Huntington University will also continue to safeguard its students' financial success through its innovative Loan Repayment Program (www.huntington.edu/loans). The program reimburses all or part of a graduate's loan payments if their employment income falls within certain thresholds. Loan repayment assistance was first piloted by Huntington in 2009 and has continued each year for all incoming undergraduate students, regardless of academic major.

"First through its innovative loan repayment plan, and now by freezing tuition, Huntington is making a strong statement on its commitment to affordability and educational value," said David L. Warren, president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. "In recent years, a growing number of private colleges have taken innovative steps to keep students' out-of-pocket costs as low as possible and remain a great value for the dollar. Huntington has been at the vanguard of that movement."

Huntington was one of the first universities in the region to respond to concerns over the cost of higher education by adopting a tuition freeze for the 2004-2005 school year. Since that time, Huntington's tuition increases have been low. Now, Huntington will continue to hold the line on cost by having no tuition increase at all for 2013-2014.

Across the United States, the average tuition at four-year private institutions this year is $29,056 and the total cost of attendance averages $43,289, according to The College Board. Currently, Huntington's tuition ranks 23rd out of the 31 independent colleges and universities in Indiana and 56th out of the 109 members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

Huntington University's undergraduate tuition will remain locked at $23,300 next year. Room, board and fees will rise slightly to bring the total sticker price to $32,200, or an overall increase of 1.6 percent. This figure includes a new technology fee which will underwrite a campus wireless and cloud printing initiative (Learn more at www.huntington.edu/2013-wireless-network).

"Due to generous institutional aid through scholarships and grants, the average student only pays about 60 percent of the full tuition amount before other sources of financial aid, such as state and federal grants and loans, are factored in," said Jeff Berggren, senior vice president for enrollment management and marketing. He also noted that more than 90 percent of undergraduates receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans or work-study assistance. He added that all students should file the FAFSA and use tools such as online net tuition calculators to look beyond the sticker price.

Tuition for HU's professional and graduate degree programs will remain at current levels for next year, between $348 and $466 per credit hour, depending on the program.