Cover story

Tuition, housing costs remain below average

KU students Carrie Kruger, St. Louis; Christina Hulett, Houston; and Ace Frazier, St. Louis, relax in Hashinger Hall. A study released last month indicates that KU housing costs are 20 percent below the national average for public universities and 30 percent below the national average for private universities. File photo/University Relations

Report says residence halls 20 percent less than national rates

Sometimes it’s good to be below average.

And that’s exactly where KU is when it comes to tuition and, in particular, student housing costs.

The Trends in College Pricing report issued recently by the College Board finds that KU’s tuition is 13 percent, or nearly $600, below the national average. And KU continues to offer one of the best student housing values in the country, with rates nearly 20 percent below the national average for public universities and a full third less than private universities.

KU’s annual tuition and fees for an undergraduate resident student are $4,101. The national average is $4,694. Even though tuition remains below the national average, KU has committed 20 percent of the revenue generated by the increase to grants to students who qualify for need-based aid.

The College Board report noted that a record $90 billion was available in student financial aid in 2001-02, with increases in grant aid outpacing loan aid for the second consecutive year.

In student housing, KU residence hall students pay $1,120 less a year than the national average of $5,942 for public universities and $2,322 less than the national average for private universities.

“We’re happy to offer our residents such a good value for the dollar,” said Ken Stoner, director of KU Student Housing. “Not only is student housing affordable, it offers students a vibrant, inclusive and secure environment.”

KU students pay $4,822 a year for the traditional shared residence hall room and a 19-meals-a-week plan. The national average is $5,942 for public universities and $7,144 for private universities. About 3,600 students live in KU residence halls. Other popular student housing options at KU include 10 scholarship halls, Jayhawker Tower apartments and Stouffer Place family housing.

For more information about the College Board report visit www.collegeboard.com/press/article/0,1443,18420,00.html.

The College Board is an association of colleges and universities that administers the ACT and SAT tests.

Tuition enhancement funded classroom improvements
Summer 2003

Blake Hall, Rooms 108, 206, 207, 210 and 211—media equipment installation

Haworth Hall, Room 2031—media equipment installation

Malott Hall, Rooms 1003, 2001, 2074 and 3092—media equipment installation

Murphy Hall, Room 341—media equipment installation

Snow Hall, Room 301—media equipment installation

Stauffer-Flint Hall, Room 202—media equipment installation

Summerfield Hall, Rooms 405, 401, 505 and 507—media equipment installation

Wescoe Hall, Rooms 4001, 4007, 4008, 4023, 4025, 4067, 4071 and 4076—total classroom remodels with media equipment infrastructure

Source: Design and Construction Management