WHY IS TUITION RISING?

The choice to raise tuition is not one we make lightly, and it is influenced by various factors — some foreseeable, others not. At WashU, we are dedicated to delivering our students an exceptional educational experience that includes opportunities for studying and conducting research alongside distinguished faculty in modern classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and creative spaces. We strive diligently to manage these expenses, but like all organizations, we encounter increasing costs in nearly all facets of our operations.

Moreover, WashU is preparing for a significant reduction in federal research funding. These cuts could affect all areas of the university, including opportunities for our students to participate in hands-on research with our faculty. An uptick in tuition, along with cost-saving initiatives and the strategic prioritization of our financial resources, will enable WashU to sustain its stature as a global pioneer in education, research, and patient services.

SHOULD I ANTICIPATE PAYING FULL TUITION FOR MY CHILD?

The tuition amount each family will ultimately pay fluctuates based on various elements, including household earnings and the number of siblings enrolled in college. WashU is the first institution in the U.S. to provide an Instant Net Price Estimator, accessible on our Student Financial Services website. This straightforward tool delivers a payment range that families can expect in just seconds. Our website hosts additional tools and calculators aimed at clarifying the true cost of attendance, empowering students and families with the information they need to understand what lies ahead.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FEDERAL FUNDING IN THE WASHU BUDGET?

Last year, external funding for WashU exceeded $1 billion for the first time. The overwhelming majority of these funds originated from the federal government, including $629 million from the National Institutes of Health and roughly an additional $116 million from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense, and other entities. These funds — approximately 15% of the university’s $5.08 billion operating budget — address a variety of expenses beyond direct research costs such as facility maintenance, safety initiatives, student stipends, and laboratory supplies. A projected decrease in these essential funds, coupled with a possible significant increase in the federal endowment tax, poses a serious risk of creating a substantial budget deficit.

WHY ARE MEAL PLAN COSTS RISING?

The escalation in the price of WashU meal plans directly stems from increasing food prices. The costs of meat, produce, and dairy items are rising at a pace quicker than inflation. The Platinum Meal Plan will continue to meet the daily demands of the majority of our students by offering the utmost flexibility and variety across our dining facilities. WashU remains dedicated to delivering delicious, fulfilling, and nutritious meals that cater to the needs of our student body.

HOW DOES WASHU ADDRESS STUDENT NEEDS?

We are determined to eliminate financial obstacles for all of our students, irrespective of their socioeconomic status. In recent years, we have introduced several new initiatives aimed at making a WashU education more accessible to all students.

Programs include:

• The “no-loan” financial aid policy, announced in 2024, replaces federal loans with grants and scholarships.
• Gateway to Success, introduced in 2021, represents a $1 billion investment
  in financial assistance and student support for undergraduate, graduate, and professional learners. WashU is also now “need-blind” in our undergraduate admissions process for first-time domestic applicants.
• The WashU Pledge, established in 2019, offers a complimentary undergraduate education to full-time students from Missouri and southern Illinois whose families have annual incomes of $75,000 or less. The WashU Pledge covers tuition, housing, meal plans, and fees. Additional initiatives include the new Taylor Family Center for Student Success, the Student Success Fund, and First-Year Grants for technology and supplies. The university has garnered national acclaim for enhancing accessibility, including being recently ranked #3 in the nation for financial aid by The Princeton Review.

  WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE ENDOWMENT?

  Endowment funds are primarily established through donations, intended for specific uses as determined by the initial donor. For instance, a donor’s contribution aimed at supporting medical research cannot be redirected to fund undergraduate scholarships or vice versa. The income generated from these funds supports, among other areas, the efforts of our faculty, research endeavors, and routine operations. Endowment earnings also partially address the disparity between what students can afford and the actual costs of higher education, with the university utilizing unrestricted or operational funds to close this gap. The endowment enables us to fulfill our commitment to making a WashU education available to all qualified students, regardless of their financial conditions. We also depend on the generosity of friends and contributors who make it possible for us to realize this objective. To discover more about the endowment, how it operates, where it comes from, and how we utilize it to further the university’s mission, check out Chancellor Martin’s three-part “Endowment 101” series on his blog.

The article Tuition-related Frequently Asked Questions first appeared on The Source.