Tuition/Room & Board Increase Lowest in 10 Years

Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 284-4579

March 15, 2011 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—The Saint Mary’s College Board of Trustees recently approved a 3.2% increase in tuition, fees, and room and board for the 2011-12 academic year. It is the lowest rate increase in 10 years, with tuition and fees set at $32,000 and room and board set at $9,800. Tuition and room and board represent the College’s main sources of revenue, comprising 80 percent of the college’s operating revenue. The remaining 20 percent is supported by gifts from Saint Mary’s generous alumnae and friends and by earnings of the College’s endowment.

“The College remains committed to supporting a first-rate faculty and the many innovative educational programs available to our students,” Saint Mary’s Vice President for Finance Richard Speller said in a letter to parents of students returning for the next academic year. “The 2011-12 charges will sustain our strong academic offerings and maintain the facilities on Saint Mary’s campus.”

The College works to make its nationally recognized liberal arts education as affordable as possible. Nearly one-third of the College’s operating budget is devoted to financial aid. The end result is that, for some students, the cost of attending Saint Mary’s is lower than that of attending a public university. In addition, the benefits of personal attention and close faculty/student working relationships that are possible at a small school last a lifetime.

About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” in the U.S. News & World Report 2011 College Guide. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.