WHEELING, WV, Jan. 22, 2009 - Wheeling Jesuit University announced today that it is freezing both graduate and undergraduate tuition for the 2009-2010 school year.
“Higher learning is a critically important reality in American culture. It's also expensive. Although Wheeling Jesuit University has always tried to keep the seemingly inevitable rise of tuition at an affordable rate, the present national and international financial crisis demands a more radical response,” said President Julio Giulietti, S.J. “In keeping with our commitment to justice, competency and compassion, we have decided to keep tuition as affordable as possible. Thus, we are freezing our tuition rate for 2009 - 2010. Be assured that we will do everything we can to keep a Wheeling Jesuit education attainable.”
The tuition freeze announcement complements a letter sent home to students a few months ago that detailed the university's willingness to work with parents and families if they encounter financial setbacks due to the shaky world economy.
College affordability is a challenge faced not only by families, but also by colleges and universities that strive to remain affordable and accessible, according to the College Board. In the current academic year, at private colleges, prices rose 5.9 percent, to $25,143, College Board reported in October 2008.
Wheeling Jesuit's undergraduate tuition stands at $11,795 per semester or $23,590 per year. Total graduate costs vary according to program, but are calculated at $500 per credit hour and adult students enrolled in the popular Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership (BOLD) program, pay $4,640 per term or $13,920 per year. None of these will see a tuition increase next year.
In other good news, Giulietti announced that Wheeling Jesuit athletic programs are expanding to offer student-athletes a chance to play junior varsity team sports.
“Our new JV program encourages more high school student-athletes to look at us and discover a chance to continue to compete athletically while earning an excellent Jesuit education,” said Giulietti. “Even if a student is unable to play varsity sports they'll now have a chance to compete on the field or court and continue to use their talents.”
“There will be five new JV teams next year. Men and women's basketball, men and women's soccer, and baseball,” explained Giulietti. The addition of JV sports is expected to be a plus for recruiting students in a tight higher education market.
Wheeling Jesuit's Financial Aid office is available to assist students and can be reached at (304) 243-2304. Other resources are available online at www.useyouryou.com. Or call the toll-free admissions number at 1-800-624-6992.
