Columbia Central

2022-23 Tuition and Fees FAQs

The college recently announced an increase in tuition and fees for the 2022-23 academic year.

Read more in President Kim's letter to the college community.

• 1. When will the tuition increase begin?
  The tuition increase will begin in the 2022-2023 academic year.
  

   

• 2. How much is the increase?
  Tuition will be $29,270, which is a ten percent increase, or $2,660 before financial aid.
• 3. What is the additional dollar amount I will be paying after the increase?
  The ten percent tuition is an increase to Columbia’s listed tuition price. The amount each student pays may vary based on individual financial aid and scholarship packages.
• 4. Does this amount include fees?

  No. Fees are separate and are for the 2022 -2023 Academic year will be a flat rate of $1,450. 

  Study Abroad, Semester in LA, and U-Pass will remain separate.

• 5. Why is the college creating a flat fee structure? How did the college arrive at that number?
  A standard rate provides predictability for students and families so everyone can budget accordingly and know what to expect semester to semester regardless of the classes they are taking. The $1,450 represents the average amount in fees paid by students in the current academic year.
• 6. Some students have been paying less than $1,450 in fees. How is this not an increase?
  A flat rate, level sets the fees and removes the fluctuation of fees semester to semester depending on the program and classes. For example, one semester a student might have paid less than $725 and in other semesters, the fees are much higher. A standard rate evens out these fluctuations, regardless of the courses that are being taken.
• 7. What is driving this tuition increase?
  The college has two goals: Over the past few years the costs of educating our students has exceeded the amount we have collected in tuition, creating a structural deficit that we need to address.
  
  At the same time, we need to continue to grow our investments in student support and our academic offerings. This college provides tremendous value to students, and we want to maintain that.
• 8. Why a ten percent increase?
  After no increases in Fall 2020 and Fall 2021, the college is increasing tuition to sustain and enhance the college’s academic offerings, and continue to invest in student services to drive student success. The tuition adjustment will also help the college meet increased costs of doing business.
• 9. What enhancements can students look forward to, and when will they happen?
  Our goal is to bring added staff and money to various departments that provide direct services to students during the 2022-23 academic year, which is the year the tuition increase goes into effect.
• 10. Why now? Lots of people are still reeling from the pandemic.
  The college held the line on tuition in both 2020 and 2021 all the while, continuing to provide scholarship money, because of the economic disruption caused by the pandemic. At the same time, costs have gone up significantly because of the pandemic and due to inflation in general. We want to make sure we have the resources to not only sustain but to enhance academic offerings and student services.
• 11. Will there be additional increases in future years?
  Tuition is evaluated on an annual basis, factoring in enrollment, institutional financial health and tuition trends.
• 12. You are also increasing housing by 2.5 percent. Why do both?
  Columbia does not own the residence halls; they are leased. The 2.5 percent increase reflects the average increase. All four buildings have a contracted increase in their respective lease agreements for the upcoming academic year.
• 13. Can the college collect other money without raising tuition?
  Tuition is the main source of revenue for the college. The college continues to pursue donations and gifts from a wide variety of constituents including alumni, foundations, corporations, current parents and past parents, Chicago philanthropists, faculty, staff, and our Board of Trustees. While it is certainly the donor’s right to choose how to allocate their gift, the college has designated student scholarships as its top priority.
• 14. What is being done to help students for whom this increase will be a financial challenge?
  Columbia Central will work with students who may need their aid adjusted in order to continue attending Columbia. We are prepared to boost aid for students with a demonstrated need.
  
  Money has been set aside in the budget to aid returning students. In addition, the Board of Trustees started a special scholarship fund to aid returning students who may face financial challenges.
  
  This combined pool of funds total $1.5 million. Students should contact Columbia Central for more information about how to apply for these resources. 
• 15. How much aid will be added for students who need financial help?
  As a part of this plan, additional aid for existing students as well as a new scholarship fund started by the Board of Trustees is being set aside for students who demonstrate financial challenges. The combined total amount of this aid is $1.5 million.
• 16. Will there be an increase to graduate tuition?

  Graduate tuition will be announced at a later date.