Newswise — As the College celebrates its 175th anniversary, the Mount Holyoke Board of Trustees has voted for the second year in a row to not raise charges for tuition, room and board for the 2013-2014 academic year, effectively holding those costs to 2011-2012 rates.
Last year’s tuition freeze was the College’s first since 1968. This year’s decision to maintain the same rates reflects MHC’s commitment to contain the cost of a college education, coupled with the belief that the current higher education model of increasing tuition in excess of inflation is unsustainable.
“Mount Holyoke remains committed to attracting and supporting academically talented students from all socioeconomic backgrounds in the United States and around the world,” said President Lynn Pasquerella. “Many colleges make that commitment; Mount Holyoke continues to lead the way.”
In the past, Mount Holyoke, along with other colleges, increased tuition, room, and board annually at rates that consistently outpaced inflation and growth in household income.
“The College accompanied those past price increases with significant increases in financial aid, trying as far as possible, and with a growing percentage of its annual budget, to support the exceptional student body we have and continue to seek,” explained Pasquerella. “That model is not sustainable for higher education, and it is not sustainable for students and families in the current economic environment.”
The tuition announcement comes in the same week the College celebrates the 175th anniversary of its opening. Founder Mary Lyon opened the doors of what was then Mount Holyoke Female Seminary to 80 young women on November 8, 1837 for the express purpose of providing educational excellence and access for women of all socioeconomic backgrounds. The first of the Seven Sisters, Mount Holyoke has since led the way in educating women for purposeful engagement in the world, and Mary Lyon’s mission remains central to the College today.
The Board of Trustees' vote keeps tuition at $41,270 for next year. There will also be no increase in the cost of room and board. More than 70 percent of MHC students currently receive some type of financial aid to offset the cost of attendance.
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