Ashland University Approves Record Low Tuition Increase

Online, February 2, 2012 (Newswire.com) - At its meeting on Jan. 27, the Ashland University Board of Trustees approved the lowest increase in tuition, room and board costs on record at Ashland University. The board approved a total of 1.1 percent increase in Ashland University tuition, room and board fees for the coming 2012-2013 academic year.

"The University's administration, faculty and Board of Trustees are serious about helping to make a private education more affordable for students and their families," Ashland University President Dr. Fred Finks said. "We are sensitive to the increasing pressure on students and parents to finance their education and this move shows that we are doing everything possible to contain costs."

The 1.1 percent increase represents a $428 increase in costs and the lowest percentage increase since records were first kept at the University.

Finks said the University's faculty and staff have spent the past year developing programs in response to student and family financial concerns. In just the past several months, Ashland University has:
• instituted a three-year degree program that will involve a number of its major areas of study and allow students to earn a quality provide education in less time and for less money.
• established a four-year graduation guarantee program that will help keep college costs predictable for families.
• approved a more than 17 percent increase in merit-based scholarship awards for incoming freshmen in 2012-2013.
• launched an accelerated accounting degree program that allows students to complete bachelor's and master's programs in less time than it would for separate degrees.

Also, Finks said Ashland University officials are working hard to demonstrate to parents and students that the added value provided by an Ashland education is worth the financial investment.

"The value of a private higher education is well documented, with the student and faculty interaction, small class size, professor accessibility, and academic rigor and engagement being just a sampling of what we are all about," Finks said.

"We can do many things that larger state schools cannot do -- like providing the individual attention that can help your son or daughter be successful; or offering opportunities for them to participate directly with faculty in research projects, professional association activities and community learning projects; or providing the opportunity for students to be connected on campus, whether it be through one of the many campus organizations or the outstanding club and intramural program or Greek life," he said.

Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report's National Universities category for 2012, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.