DETROIT, March 26, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marygrove College today announced that it will reduce tuition for some of its online graduate programs by 19 percent. The reduction will be in effect for the 2012-2013 academic year and will apply to the following programs: Educational Technology; Educational Leadership; Human Resource Management and Modern Language Translation Certificates.
The Executive Committee of the Marygrove College Board of Trustees approved the tuition decrease as Marygrove's response to growing local and national concerns about rising tuition costs in the United States.
"We believe that access to a high quality, affordable education is a necessity for the overall health and well-being of our citizens, and for the future of our country," said Marygrove President Dr. David J. Fike. "The current state of educational funding, and the consequent student debt load today is of great concern to us and we feel it is our duty as an institution committed to serving this community, that we step-up and do our part to help."
While much of the focus on rising costs has been on publicly funded colleges and universities, private institutions are taking note and finding ways to keep education costs under control. "Private colleges are more affordable than many people realize," said Fike.
In fact, for many students attending private colleges, net tuition (after grants and scholarships) is actually much lower than the posted tuition price. The New York Times recently reported that average net tuition at private colleges, adjusted for inflation, actually declined by four percent from 2006 to 2011, according to the [National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities].1
Fike continued, "For our undergraduate students, Marygrove already has financial aid packages in place whereby, if a student has a strong GPA and demonstrates financial need, they may be eligible for assistance up to 100 percent of tuition without the need for student loans. With the tuition reduction, we are also making strides in assuring affordability of our programs for graduate students."
On-campus graduate tuition rates at Marygrove have been held constant—not so much as a penny increase—for the last three years. In addition, Marygrove has nearly 20 years experience in online education and is a national pioneer and leader in this area. "With nearly 30,000 alumni of our online programs, and over 1,000 students in nearly 30 states currently enrolled, we have the experience to bring new innovations to online programming; all while maintaining cost controls and offering a high quality education," said Jane Hammang-Buhl, Marygrove's Vice President for Academic Affairs.
"Marygrove's message to prospective students is this: Detroit is a city of opportunities and possibilities—especially for enterprising young people with the energy and determination to make a difference," said Fike. "We have and will continue to do what is necessary to help prepare you for a bright future as an urban leader. Take that first step and see for yourself what we're doing to effect positive change, and how you can be a part of it."
ABOUT MARYGROVE COLLEGE
Founded by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) in 1905, Marygrove College is an independent liberal arts college and a Catholic institution of higher learning committed to developing leaders for the new global society. The main campus is situated on 53 wooded acres in northwest Detroit.
8425 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit, MI 48221
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- "Welcome Trend in College Tuition," March 5, 2012, The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/opinion/welcome-trend-in-college-tuition.html?_r=1