University Of Bridgeport Announces No Tuition Increase For 3rd Year

Press release from University of Bridgeport:

Feb. 3, 2023

University of Bridgeport today announced that there will be no tuition increase for domestic full-time undergraduate students for the 2023-2024 academic year, including room and board.

In November 2022, the University Board of Trustees voted to hold tuition flat, a decision that reinforces the school’s dedication to making sure a college education is accessible to all students, while also reflecting the stability of the University’s revenue stream.

“The continued freeze on tuition rates is part of the institution’s commitment to making college affordable, helping students reach their goals without the burden of additional costs,” said Dr. Danielle Wilken, University of Bridgeport president. “We recognize that inflation is significantly impacting families, which in turn impacts our students. We are delighted to be able to extend this opportunity once again.”

As a nonprofit institution, 100% of the tuition investment directly funds University of Bridgeport’s programs, services, and facilities that benefit students. The school works year-round to reduce financial challenges, including the financial aid staff, who consistently identify ways to help students finance their education; the Advancement Office, which solicits donations to help offset operational costs; and the Grants Office, which secures millions of dollars annually to increase student services without increasing student costs.

In a recent Encoura survey about the college search process, cost was the most important factor in deciding which schools a student is considering.

“Access to higher education matters now more than ever,” said Wilken. “It’s critical that we do everything we can to make University of Bridgeport affordable for families.” She continued, “We know that from the moment students first enter the Admissions Office, to the day they cross the stage at commencement and become UB alumni, they are investing in their lives. That’s why we are proud to mitigate the costs to our students while maintaining a high-quality education.

Before financial aid or scholarships are applied, tuition for undergraduate students remains at $35,960 for domestic full-time undergraduate students. The average cost of tuition for Connecticut’s public and private colleges and universities is 13% higher at $41,442 [Encoura].

This tuition freeze comes with the University of Bridgeport’s recent news of a 30% increase in enrollment of first year students and five accreditations for the School of Engineering and School of Nursing. It exemplifies the progress the school has made in the past few years, enhancing the school’s value in a competitive higher education market.

“There has been a lot of momentum at University of Bridgeport,” said Dr. Manyul Im, University of Bridgeport provost. “The decision to continue to freeze tuition builds upon the commitment by the University to make education at UB accessible. We are grateful to the Board of Trustees for recognizing the financial hardship families are facing. As an institution, it’s critical that we find ways to manage our costs rather than raising tuition, which we have done successfully for the last two years.”

This is the third consecutive year the university has held tuition flat, contradicting a recent trend of universities increasing tuition costs.

“I am grateful to our Board of Trustees for their support and their commitment to our students,” added Wilken. “There are amazing things happening at University of Bridgeport, and we look forward to continuing to build upon the momentum created.”

This press release was produced by University of Bridgeport. The views expressed here are the author's own.