For the fourth year in a row, Central College has announced its smallest price increase in 45 years. Total price for tuition, room and board next year will be just 2.9 percent higher. This is the same increase as last year — and less than the previous 3.5 and 3.95 percent increases.
Tuition for 2016-17 will be $34,612, with $9,980 for room and board. Room and board prices have not increased for three years. The modest tuition increase reflects the increased costs of operation.
“Central College takes its commitment to students, families and affordability very seriously,” said Central College President Mark Putnam. “Our board of trustees understands Central’s partnership with families and the great benefit of investing in students.”
Putnam said the college also continues to manage expenses carefully. Annual expenditures are down $3.6 million over the last four years.
In addition to limiting tuition increases, Central offers strong financial aid awards to ensure the college is affordable. More than 99 percent of students receive financial aid, including scholarships supported by alumni and donors. Financial aid packages awarded may include scholarships, gift assistance, work study and student loans.
Donor support of students and Central’s mission extends beyond scholarships, too. Central has raised more than $25 million since fiscal year 2013. These donations support many strategic initiatives, including academic and student development, faculty development, athletics and wellness, undergraduate research and global experiential learning, as well as student aid and the Journey Scholarship Fund.
- The college recently launched Forever Dutch, a multi-million dollar initiative to renovate and expand the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex, an area of campus used by more than 94 percent of students.
- A newly announced Bachelor of Science in engineering degree, with $400,000 from the Vermeer Charitable Foundation and support from international corporate partners including Vermeer, Pella Corporation and PPI, Inc., builds on Central’s academic strength in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.
- More than $500,000 has been raised for the Arthur J. Bosch Endowment for Student Research, providing opportunities for Central students of all majors to experience meaningful research projects, working in relationship with faculty.
- Many additional gifts for Central students have been given this year: endowed scholarships (most recently for music and engineering), a piano for Cox-Snow Recital Hall, Maytag Patio renovations, organic garden expansion, Douwstra Auditorium and upper chapel renovations, equipment for campus operations, Heritage Plaza development at the entrance of Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium, and naming gifts for mock trial and various campus spaces.
The college also makes sure each student can graduate in four years — an important factor for determining cost. If students fall behind at other colleges, they pay more tuition and lose wages they would earn after a timely graduation. At Central, 92 percent of graduates finish in four years or fewer, and nearly 100 percent are employed in a field of their choice, enrolled in graduate/professional school or completing a year of service within a year of graduation.
Central remains committed to giving each student a world-class education, Putnam said. “Zero classes at Central are taught by graduate assistants. Our renowned college faculty and our dedicated staff are all are committed to developing connections and networks for students,” he said. “We are here to support students, challenge them and launch them into their futures as well-prepared, lifelong learners.”