The
Pennsylvania State System Board of Governors today approved a proposal from Indiana
University of Pennsylvania to reduce tuition rates for freshman and sophomore undergraduate
students at regional campuses and for out-of-state students.
The
plan will go into effect for the fall 2018 semester.
In
this model, in-state freshman and sophomore undergraduates at Northpointe
and Punxsutawney regional campuses will be charged 80 percent of the tuition
rate of students on the Indiana campus. Domestic out-of-state students will pay
tuition on a per-credit system at a lower percentage rate than they are
currently being charged.
Based
on academic 2017–18 tuition rates, under this new plan, in-state freshman and
sophomore undergraduate students at the regional campuses would pay $247 per
credit, compared to the current $309 per credit charge.
“We
recognize the need to provide as many opportunities as we can for students to
take advantage of an IUP education,” IUP President Michael Driscoll said.
“This reduction in cost is designed to help these regional students and to
thank and to recognize the support of our local communities.
“The
quality of instruction and experiences at the regional campuses will remain
strong, and regional campus students will still be able to take advantage of
all the opportunities and events offered at the Indiana campus,” Driscoll said.
“The only change related to this new pricing structure is that IUP Punxsutawney
and IUP at Northpointe will be an even greater value for our regional students and
families.”
The
approved proposal also changes the way that out-of-state students will pay tuition.
Under this plan, out-of-state students will pay on a per-credit rate, with a reduced
out-of-state tuition differential of 145 percent for students from any state.
Currently,
all domestic, out-of-state students are charged at either 170 percent or 250
percent of the in-state rate on a flat fee basis. The current out-of-state differential
is dependent on high school grade point average and state residency. This new per-credit tuition rate reflects
IUP’s current per-credit pricing structure for students who domicile in
Pennsylvania. The per-credit structure was launched in fall 2016.
Based
on academic year 2017–18 tuition rates, a domestic, out-of-state student
paying tuition at the 250 percent rate for 12 credits is charged $9,365 per
semester. Under the new plan, this student would pay $5,377 per semester for 12
credits.
“IUP’s
per-credit tuition model increases fairness—students pay for the credits that
they take,” Driscoll said. “Student behaviors have changed, and the per-credit
model is more equitable and meets the needs of both our current and future
students, including our out-of-state students.
“IUP
is proud to be part of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and to
be part of this great state, but as a public, doctoral, research university, one
with unique programs and incredible value, we have a great deal to offer to students
who live outside the commonwealth. This new pricing model offers these students
an even better reason to choose IUP,” Driscoll said.
Annually,
IUP enrolls about 500 out-of-state undergraduate students.