Washington College Announces 2009-2010 Tuition Increase

To Washington College Families,

In my nearly 40 years as a teacher and administrator, I cannot recall a time that has been more challenging or uncertain for our nation’s economy or for higher education. Like most colleges and universities, both our endowment and private gifts for current operations have declined. The impact of these contractions is likely to be felt for several years.

Despite the challenges presented by these constraints, we have developed a budget for the coming academic year that is guided by four principals: preserve the quality of the academic experience for our students; identify and secure opportunities to achieve increased operational efficiencies; maintain faith with our faculty and staff, who make our students’ success possible, and limit increases in tuition and fees in recognition of economic concerns and challenges faced by the families of our students.

I believe we have succeeded in meeting all four goals. At their winter meeting late last month, the Board of Visitors and Governors approved the smallest percentage tuition increase in 34 years. For next year, charges for tuition, room and board will increase by $1,625 or 3.95%. I realize that any increase will present a challenge to most families. Our student financial aid office stands ready to help students and parents explore options for low-interest loans and opportunities for external scholarship support.

Despite budgetary constraints, I am pleased to report that we have made significant improvements to life on campus and will continue to see progress next year. Last fall we opened two beautiful new residence halls. In January, we installed a wide-area emergency broadcast system to enhance student safety. A recent grant from the Mellon Foundation will allow us to inaugurate a “Chesapeake Semester” this coming fall. We will also re-open a greatly expanded Gibson Center for the Arts and a new dining hall and student center. Clearly, the days ahead will bring excitement and opportunity.

My colleagues and I recognize the tremendous sacrifices that families make to send their student to Washington College. We remain committed to providing the kind of liberal arts education that will only appreciate in value over a lifetime.

Sincerely,

Baird Tipson
President

Washington College Announces Tuition Increase For 2004-2005

Chestertown, MD, March 2, 2004 — Washington College's Board of Visitors and Governors announced at its February meeting a tuition increase of $1,750, bringing the total cost of tuition to $25,990 per year for full-time students. In addition, other basic charges will increase by $260 over those for the current year. The new rates will be effective for the 2004-2005 academic year.

Under the Board's 2004-2005 plan, basic charges for room will increase by $200 to $2,800, while basic board fees will increase by $60 to $3,200—the first increases in room and board charges for the College in six years. The Student Service Fee will be held constant at $560.

“This year's increase is unusual for Washington College,” said John S. Toll, President of the College. “Over the past three years, the total cost of attendance at Washington College has increased by just $3,500, while the average three-year increase at our peer institutions has been $4,925. We have kept this year's increase to 6.58 percent—as low as we possibly can without forcing the institution to compromise core programs and services for our students.”

Despite the significant achievements of the Campaign for Washington's College, Toll added, there is much work to be done and more challenges ahead as Washington College strives to remain competitive with the nation's top liberal arts institutions.

“As the intrinsic value of the education that we provide our students rises, so does the cost of providing the unique opportunities that are the distinguishing marks of the Washington College experience,” Toll said. “Hiring new faculty, enhancing computer technology capabilities, expanding internship opportunities, renovating student residence halls, constructing additional parking lots and recreational sports fields, as well as the climbing price of utilities such as heating fuel, are just a few of the factors that determine tuition and fees for the coming year.”

Although today's college tuition costs can appear daunting, Toll noted, he assures prospective students and their parents that Washington College's Office of Student Financial Aid stands ready to counsel students and their families about opportunities for scholarships and loans. Through initiatives such as the Washington Scholars Program—which offers guaranteed tuition scholarships of at least $10,000 to students who are members of the National Honor Society—Washington College is working to make independent higher education more accessible and more attractive to today's college-bound students.

College Announces Tuition Increase For 2003-2004 Academic Year

Chestertown, MD, March 13, 2003 — Washington College has announced a $1,500 rise in the cost of tuition for full-time students for the 2003-2004 academic year. The increase brings the total cost of tuition to $24,240 per year, or 5% over total charges for the current year. The new tuition rate will be affective for the 2003-2004 academic year beginning this fall.

The College's Board of Visitors and Governors approved the tuition increase at its February meeting. All of the increase has been applied to the cost of tuition ($24,240) with basic charges for Room ($2,600) and Board ($3,140), and the Student Fee ($560), being held constant.

"Recent months have brought much news in the regional and national media regarding public colleges and universities instituting increases in tuition charges," said Dr. John S. Toll, President of Washington College. "Like those institutions, the same economic pressures affect us, but we anticipate that our percentage increase in total charges will be considerably lower than that at many institutions. In fact, the University System of Maryland was forced to institute a mid-year increase in tuition of 5% at most campuses, with more likely to come, and many independent colleges and universities have already announced plans to increase charges by 7% or more for the coming year. Although our 5% increase is hardly welcome news, we hope that in the larger context it will be viewed as a determination on our part to keep increases as low as possible without forcing the institution to cut core programs and the quality of the education offered to our students."

Although college tuition costs can appear daunting, President Toll noted, he assures prospective students and their parents that Washington College's Office of Student Financial Aid stands ready to counsel students and their families on opportunities for scholarships and loans.

College Announces 2001-2002 Tuition Increase

Chestertown, MD, March 29, 2001 — The Board of Visitors and Governors of Washington College has announced a $1,000 increase in tuition for the academic year 2001-2002. The total basic cost for full-time students will rise by $1,000 to $28,040, or just 3.7 percent over the similar total charges for the current year.

The increase has been applied to tuition alone ($21,750), while the basic charges for room ($2,600), board ($3,140) and student fee ($550) will be held constant. The new and renovated student residences will involve slightly higher room charges. The Board also authorized a $200 deposit requirement for returning students participating in the room draw. This is not an increase in room charges, but a deposit to be credited to next year's room fee.

"The 3.7 percent increase is the second lowest percentage total increase for undergraduate tuition, fees, room and board at Washington College in the last 26 years," said Dr. John Toll, president of the College. "The College intends to hold down cost as much as possible while continuing to enhance the quality of education and to improve facilities for our students."

The 2000-2001 academic year witnessed the largest enrollment in the history of the College. Additionally, the College opened Goldstein Hall, which houses classrooms, faculty offices, and academic support services, and renovated the Student Center on the ground floor of Hodson Hall. The College has initiated an intensive planning process for the design and construction of a major addition to the science complex and has hired an architectural firm to develop a series of short-term and long-term projects to address facility needs in the fine and performing arts. The College also is continuing renovation of the existing student residential spaces, including Queen Anne House and Cullen Hall, and will accelerate the construction of four new student residence halls on the North campus.

Washington College Tuition And Fees Up 4.24 Percent

Third Lowest Increase Since 1976 Marks Continued Modest Trend

Chestertown, MD — Tuition and student fees at Washington College will rise 4.24 percent for the upcoming academic year. The increase of $1,100 will bring the total bill for the 2000-2001 academic year at Washington College—including tuition, room, board and mandatory fees—to $27,040. The current cost is $25,940.

Officials said that effective cost-control measures and strong fund-raising efforts contributed to the moderate increase. Washington College seeks to ensure up-to-date facilities with the latest technologies for its students. Near completion on campus is Goldstein Hall, the College's newest classroom and faculty office building. It will house 24 faculty offices, three classrooms, five seminar rooms, two teaching labs, and one lecture hall. The Writing Center, Math Workshop, and Study Skills offices will also be located at Goldstein Hall, providing a central location for students. Also on tap over the next four years is construction of new residence halls and renovation of those existing to meet the expectations of post-Millennial college students.

College President John S. Toll said, "We have endeavored to hold down the increase in the cost of Washington College education and to provide financial aid to every student who needs it. We're pleased by the increase in the number of able applicants for admission this year and are working to see that the unique Washington College education is available to those who are well qualified."

Many of those well-qualified students benefit from a major element of Washington College's financial aid package, the Washington Scholars program, now in its fourth year. The Washington Scholars program makes $40,000 in scholarship money available to all Washington College students who were inducted into their high school National Honor Society and maintain a B average.