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As consumers continue to struggle with the impact of the economic downturn, and worry about the cost of higher education, more private nonprofit colleges and universities are working to stay within financial reach for students and families from all backgrounds.

The examples below demonstrate the ways in which private institutions are redoubling their efforts to keep consumers' out-of-pocket costs as low as possible, while maintaining their academic excellence and personal approach to educating students. Note: These are the examples NAICU knows of; there may be other private, nonprofit colleges introducing similar measures this fall.

(See also: "Private College Tuition Increases 4.6 Percent for 2011-12; Institutional Student Aid Up 7 Percent")

Examples of New Affordability Initiatives for 2011-12

(Also see initiatives launched in 2010-11, 2009-10, 2008-09, and earlier)

• Tuition Cuts
• Tuition Freezes
• Tuition Guarantees
• Public University Tuition Matches
• Four-year Graduation Guarantees
• Three-Year Degree Programs
• Special Scholarship Programs
• Loan Repayment Assistance Programs
• Significantly Lower Tuition Increases

Tuition Cuts

Sewanee: The University of the South
Sewanee, TN

Sewanee cut tuition by 10 percent for 2011-12.

Tuition Freezes (0-percent increases)

Of the institutions that responded to NAICU's 2011-12 tuition survey, 12 were freezing tuition. Of these eight, the following two schools self-identified when completing the survey.

Catawba University - news release
Salisbury, NC


The Sage Colleges - news release
Albany, NY
(Note: second consecutive year tuition has been frozen)

Tuition Guarantees

St. Mary-of-the-Woods College
Terre Haute, IN

Starting in fall 2011, St. Mary-of-the-Woods College's "Tuition Promise" program guarantees that tuition for on-campus students will remain the same for four years.

Public University Tuition Matches

Northland College
Ashland, WI

Beginning in 2011-12, through the "Access Guarantee" program, new freshmen students from low and middle income families can attend Northland College at the same or lower cost than at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Four-year Graduation Guarantees

Baldwin-Wallace College
Berea, OH

In fall 2011, Baldwin-Wallace College is introducing the "Four-Year Graduation Guarantee" program. The college will ensure that students graduate within four years or it will cover the cost for the extra time that it takes.

Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, Va.

Starting in fall 2011, Randolph-Macon guarantees that freshmen who meet the Four-Year Degree Guarantee requirements will graduate within four years. If not, the college will waive tuition costs for courses needed to complete the degree.

Three-Year Degree Programs

Baldwin-Wallace College
Berea, OH

Beginning in fall 2011, Baldwin-Wallace will offer three-year degree options.

Grace College - news release
Winona Lake, IN

Starting fall 2011, Grace College will offer a three-year accelerated degree in each of its 50-plus major areas of study.

Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Beginning in fall 2011, Lesley University will offer three-year degree options.

St. John's University
Staten Island, NY

In 2011-12, St. John's launches a three-year degree program at its Grymes Hill campus, offering students a projected savings of $29,000.

Special Scholarship Programs

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL

For fall 2011, Benedictine has launched the "Illinois Back to Work" program for qualified applicants who have been unemployed for at least 18 months. The program covers any remaining tuition after all state and federal student aid is applied. Qualified applicants must be Illinois residents 25 or older who have been unemployed for at least 18 months and not already have a bachelor's degree.

Loan Repayment Assistance Program

Huntington University
Huntington, IN

Beginning in fall 2011, Huntington University is announcing a loan repayment assistance program to all new freshmen students enrolling full time. If, after earning a degree, a graduate's annual salary is below $20,000, the student will be reimbursed the entire amount of his or her loan payments. As the graduate's income grows to $40,000 the benefit is reduced proportionally.

Significantly Lower Tuition Increases

Boston University - story
Boston, MA

BU is increasing tuition by 3.85 percent, one of the lowest increases in 40 years

Elmira College
Elmira, NY

Elmira is increasing tuition by 3 percent, the smallest tuition increase in 35 years.

Elon University
Elon, NC

Elon is increasing tuition by 3.98, the smallest increase in more than 20 years.

Georgetown University
Washington DC

Georgetown is increasing tuition by 2.9 percent, the smallest increase in 38 years.

Lehigh University - announcement
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh will increase tuition by 3 percent, one of the lowest increase in four decades.

Princeton University - story
Princeton, NJ

Princeton will increase tuition by 1 percent, the lowest increase in 45 years.

Saint Mary's College - news release
Notre Dame, IN

Saint Mary's College will increase tuition by 3.2 percent, the lowest increase in 10 years.

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse is increasing tuition by 3.8 percent, the lowest increase in 46 years

University of Pennsylvania - news release
Philadelphia, PA

Penn is increasing tuition by 3.9 percent, its second smallest tuition increase in 43 years.