New Student Initiatives Spur Penn State Tuition Increase

July 14, 2000
University Park, Pa. - Penn State’s Board of Trustees today (July 14) approved an increase of 5 percent in the base tuition rate for the 2000-2001 academic year, plus an increase of 1.23 percent earmarked for student support initiatives and facilities improvements.

"This increase is necessary to maintain and enhance the quality of programs in a highly competitive environment," said President Graham B. Spanier. "In order for our students to succeed in their chosen careers, they must have access to the latest technology and state-of-the-art academic and support facilities.

"We are committed to providing our students with the best resources and services to prepare them for whatever awaits them upon graduation."

The increases bring the yearly tuition cost for lower-division students from Pennsylvania to $6,546 at University Park, Penn State Erie and Penn State Harrisburg – an increase of $384 over last year. Upper-division students at these locations will pay $6,876 per year.

Lower-division students at Penn State Altoona, Abington and Berks will pay $6,436 annually, while those at Lehigh Valley and Schuylkill and within the Commonwealth College will pay $6,340 a year.

Upper-division students at Altoona, Abington, Berks, Lehigh Valley and Schuylkill will pay $6,764 a year and those at the Commonwealth College campuses will pay $6,612 annually.

Penn State operates under a differential tuition plan in which upper-division students and graduate students pay somewhat more than lower-division students. The plan recognizes the higher costs associated with teaching upper-division students.

Graduate students from Pennsylvania at University Park and most other locations will pay $7,484 per year in 2000-2001. Non-resident graduate students at University Park will pay $14,980 annually.

Tuition charges for students who are not residents of Pennsylvania have been set at $14,088 per year for lower-division students at University Park; $12,560 at Penn State Erie and Harrisburg; $9,998 for non-residents attending Penn State Altoona, Abington and Berks; and $9,812 for non-resident lower-division students at Lehigh Valley, Schuylkill and locations in the Commonwealth College.

Spanier explained the money allocated for student support initiatives will allow for the expansion of the highly successful student newspaper readership program that provides students with their choice of national and local newspapers. The program will expand to include all students at 20 undergraduate campuses throughout the Penn State system. The program currently provides papers only to students in residence halls.

The increase also gives permanent base funding support for parking facilities and services at all of the University’s Commonwealth campuses; and permanent base funding support of the free campus Loop bus service for students at University Park. The free bus service offered to students was launched in 1999, and ridership has since tripled from 1 million riders a year to 3 million.

In addition, the funds will allow the main level of the HUB-Robeson Center to remain open 24 hours a day and also will support the operation of the new fitness center being constructed in White Building, including 24-hour weekend access. More access to these facilities was requested by students. At Penn State’s other campuses, funds will be used to support their highest priority student support activities.

"To remain one of the top universities in the nation, we must continue our program of capital construction for academic and student support facilities on all of our campuses, a priority that is reflected in this increase," Spanier told trustees. "These funds are designated for a number of areas and will be used in part for deferred maintenance, renovations and high-priority new buildings. A focus of this year’s budget is to again sustain Penn State’s academic leadership and continue the quality of education for which we are known."

With the previously announced room and board increase of 4.69 percent, the total cost of attending Penn State will increase by 5.72 percent. Penn State continues to be one of the most popular universities in the country, with more than 74,000 applications already submitted for this summer and fall – a record high.

Tuition and fees make up 60 percent of the income of the general funds budget, which supports teaching and research at the University.

Contact: Lisa Rosellini 814-865-7517 or e-mail at