WMU trustees opt to keep 2016-17 tuition increase below state cap

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University trustees voted June 29 to keep the University's 2016-17 tuition and fees under the state's 4.2 percent tuition restraint request, ensuring WMU remains Michigan's most affordable research university.

Acting in formal session, WMU trustees approved a recommendation to increase tuition and required fees for 2016-17 by 4.19 percent. Effective with the start of the fall 2016 semester, annual costs for a full-time Michigan freshman or sophomore to attend WMU will be $11,493—$464 more than the previous year's cost.

WMU President John M. Dunn notes the tuition increase will allow the University to continue to provide students with the opportunities, resources and career prospects associated with attending a research university. Despite its status, complexity and high number of degree offerings—more than 250—WMU has consistently been in the lower half of Michigan's public universities in terms of cost of attendance.

"This is a value-added university and we will continue to provide our students with an environment that is focused on their success," Dunn says. "We're committed to making the kind of strategic investments in personnel, programs and infrastructure that allow us to meet the long-term needs of our students and contribute to our state's well being."

While a full-time Michigan freshman or sophomore will pay $11,493 annually to attend WMU, the new tuition rates mean a full-time, out-of-state freshman or sophomore will pay $26,851 for the full academic year. Resident and nonresident graduate students will pay $554.65 and $1,174.80 per credit hour, respectively.

For undergraduate students, the term "full-time" refers to students taking 12 to 15 credit hours per semester. Students who take more than 15 credits will be assessed a per-credit-hour cost for each credit above the 15-credit level. Students who take fewer than 12 credits pay on a per-credit basis, as well. The per-credit-hour rate for Michigan residents at the freshman or sophomore level is set at $384.42.

A complete outline of tuition and fees for the 2015-16 academic year plus a tuition calculator will be posted by the end of the June 29  business day at wmich.edu/registrar/tuition.

In related action, WMU trustees also approved an increase in tuition and required fees for students enrolled in WMU's Extended University Programs. That increase applies to students taking courses online or at WMU regional locations. For undergraduate online courses, the per-credit-hour rate will be $365.51 plus a $60 per-credit-hour fee for 100-percent online courses.

For courses at EUP regional locations, the cost will be $436.77 per credit hour for undergraduate courses. The cost will be $617.43 per credit hour for graduate courses taught either in person at regional locations or online. A $20 per class technology fee will continue for these face-to-face and graduate online classes.

Carnegie classification

Western Michigan University is one of six Michigan universities categorized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as performing at  either the "higher" or " highest" levels of research activity.  WMU is second only to the University of Michigan in the number of bachelor's degree programs it offers and is one of only four Michigan universities authorized to shelter its own chapter of academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.

More from the June 29 Board of Trustees meeting
WMU Board approves 2016-17 operating budget of $397 million | June 29, 2016