Megan Reed, Campus Carrier Editor-in-Chief
Tuition for the 2015-2016 academic year will be $31,770, an increase of $1,440 from this academic year.
The increase was approved by the Board of Trustees late last month.
Brad Reeder, assistant vice president for financial services, said cost of living was a factor in the increase.
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| Ryder McEntyre, Graphics Editor Statistics from Brad Reeder, Asst. Vice President for financial services |
“Some of it is just a cost of living increase,” he said. “We every year have had an increase in our benefits, in our insurance. If you’ve kept up with any of the insurance information that’s out there, we at the beginning of the year projected a 14 percent increase. That’s a substantial part of our budget … it impacts a lot of people.”
Reeder said insurance rates are going up nationwide.
“Rates are going up double digits every year. We’re not unusual in that aspect,” he said. “Berry provides a very good plan to our employees and so the cost of keeping that plan is expensive.”
Reeder said the increase is not due to construction on campus.
“Projects you see going on like the welcome center and the football stadium—the majority of that is funded through donors,” Reeder said.
He said the cost of utilities has increased, and the college also invested in new furniture for some of the residence halls.
Freshman Jessica McRee said she was not surprised by the tuition increase because her sister, who is a senior, has seen tuition go up every year she has been at Berry.
“I understand that inflation is going to go up every year and most tuitions rise on a yearly basis, but I feel like especially for what we’re already paying to go here … we could really do without that,” she said.
The first tuition payment for next year will be due on July 15.