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2011–12 Tuition Update

 

A class meets outdoorsSeattle Pacific University seeks to meet the needs of its students and families in every way possible during this continuing moment of economic uncertainty. The following text from an email sent to SPU students outlines the tuition-rate increase for 2011–12 — which will coincide with a significant increase in available funding for financial aid and scholarships. Let us know if you have any questions.


Dear SPU Undergraduate Students:

Each year at this time I communicate with students regarding the tuition, fees, and room and board costs for the next year. We always must balance the financial pressures faced by our students and the increasing costs of the great education you expect from Seattle Pacific.


The Economy and Our Goal for You

We continue this year to track the economy and how it may impact you and your family. We are therefore, once again, announcing a moderate tuition rate increase and significant increases in financial aid — both intended to help you this coming year.


Let me just add how much we care that you chose to come to Seattle Pacific and how much I want you to finish your degree. What you would find in our budget is every effort possible to support our students. That has been a key part of our budget planning. In addition, we will continue to surround you with the help you need to succeed. Our goal is to help you graduate.


A Quick Overview

On February 17, the Board of Trustees approved my recommendation for the following tuition, fees, and room and board costs for 2011–12:

Tuition $29,976
ASSP & Technology Fees (mandatory) $363
Room and Board $9,081
Total $39,420


The overall year-to-year increase for annual tuition is $1,374 (4.80 percent). Room and board costs will increase by $264, and the Technology and ASSP fees are unchanged

The total percentage increase for all charges is 4.34 percent.

Costs shown above refer to tuition for a full-time undergraduate student with a traditional residence hall double room and an Unlimited Meal Plan. Total fees may vary of course, depending on your choice of meal plan and housing. View a complete breakdown of all undergraduate fees for 2011-12. Room rates for Robbins Apartments and campus houses and apartments are expected to be set by the end of February 2011.


SPU Is a Great Value

Seattle Pacific was again ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a best value at No. 3 in the West for 2011. U.S. News considers schools in this category as "great schools at great prices."

Also, our current tuition rate is the lowest of comparable private northwest institutions. We also remain at the median tuition cost for the top 10 comparable institutions within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities . What this means is that SPU is a great value and a great investment for you.

Our goal is always to make the price you pay as reasonable and competitive as possible for the high-quality education we have to offer. I always encourage you to check this out with your friends at other private universities.


Where Is the Money Going?

Here are a few highlights from the 2011–12 University budget:
  • Financial Aid. Funding for grants and scholarships is the greatest increase in the budget for next year. In 2011–12, once again we will increase the financial aid budget by more than $4 million — an 11 percent increase over financial aid in 2010–11.

    We know that financial aid is critical for most of our students, and we are committed to increasing the financial aid budget as tuition and other costs continue to rise. Financial aid is distributed in a manner that encourages both new and continuing students to persist and graduate from SPU.
  • Faculty and Staff Salaries. We are committed to pay our people competitive salaries because we want to continue to attract and keep our world-class faculty and staff. This is critical to educational quality. We will increase the salary and benefit pools for faculty and staff in order to meet the rising costs for them.
  • Critical Campus Operations. Your tuition dollars also allow us to maintain our library holdings, residence halls and dining facilities, and classrooms and laboratories, and to support our athletic programs, invest in the ongoing operations of the University, and maintain our reserves to ensure financial strength, especially during a shaky economic moment that continues in our country.

Prepared to Help

I wish you all the best as you look ahead to next year. Faculty advisors and our financial aid staff are eager to help you with your academic planning and financial aid for the year ahead.


May God bless each one of you.

Philip W. Eaton
President