EIU Trustees Approve Tuition Hike

Eastern Illinois University’s Board of Trustees on Friday approved the lowest annual tuition rate increase for new students at EIU since 1993.

The 1.43 percent increase – representing $4 per semester hour -- is the second lowest increase at EIU since 1979, according to President Bill Perry.

“The increase we recommend today sends a strong message of our commitment to affordable excellence in higher education,” he said.  “Our incoming new students and their families are dealing with difficult economic times.  A modest tuition rate increase is respectful of this.”

EIU’s resident tuition rate will increase from $279 to $283 per semester credit hour for students entering the university during the 2013-2014 school year.  This means that those with an average 15-course academic load will pay $4,245 per semester – an increase of $60.

Additionally, incoming resident students will be able to lock in the new tuition rate for four continuous academic years, as provided by the state’s “Truth in Tuition” Law.

“Our faculty and staff are the key players in upholding academic excellence,” Perry said.  “This increase is supportive of our obligations to our faculty and staff.  We continue to offer an educational experience marked by small classes, significant interaction between the professors and the students, and strong retention rates.

In addition to keeping tuition increases as small as possible, Perry said the university will continue to invest in financial aid programs in order to assist students in their pursuit of a degree at EIU.

“We continue our efforts in making more scholarships available to students to help defray costs of attendance,” Perry continued.  Examples include Commitment to Excellence Scholarships -- merit scholarships for academically talented students – and the Panther Promise Tuition Waiver.