4 p.m., July 6, 2010----Tuition for in-state undergraduate students at the University of Delaware will rise by $500 for the 2010-11 academic year, bringing the annual in-state tuition cost to $9,040. Undergraduate students from outside Delaware will pay $2,000 more in annual tuition. Their tuition next year will be $24,240.

Over the past five years, annual in-state tuition and fees at UD increased from $7,318 in 2005-06 to $10,208 in 2010-11, a total of $2,890. Out-of-state tuition and fees grew from $17,474 to $25,408 during the same period, an increase of $7,934. (See accompanying chart.)

“The increase in tuition and fees is directly related to our goal of providing an exceptional educational experience, improving student services and increasing need-based financial aid. As the state's flagship university we recognize our responsibility to remain affordable for in-state residents and we continue to put a portion of our resources into more aid for those in need. We also continually strive to enhance our academic and research offerings to meet the needs of all our students while maintaining a balanced operating budget,” UD President Patrick Harker said.

Approximately 13 percent of next year's increase is necessary to cover costs of rapidly rising demand for financial aid among UD students. The current economic environment has led to many more students needing assistance under the University's Commitment to Delawareans and other financial aid programs. In the upcoming academic year 25 percent of tuition revenue is going directly to financial aid. More than half of UD's students receive financial assistance, with an average need-based scholarship or grant of $6,398.

The total amount of financial aid from all funds for undergraduate and graduate students has grown by $39 million, from $55.7 million five years ago to $94.6 million this upcoming year, representing a 70 percent increase.

A significant portion of next year's student fee increase will go to fund capital improvements and construction of a new basketball/volleyball practice and recreation facility in addition to a new student leadership development program. The Student Comprehensive Fee supports the student fitness center, recreational programs, concerts, performing arts and the activities of registered student organizations. Increased room and board fees reflect higher costs related to an upgrade in the residential dining hall menu plus the normal inflationary increase in food, labor and direct costs for next year.

Also contributing to UD's rising tuition and fees are the increasing costs of health insurance, property insurance and utilities, as well as a reduction in the amount of endowment proceeds available.

UD Executive Vice President Scott Douglass pointed out that UD remains focused on operating as efficiently and productively as possible and has made significant adjustments in spending amid the state's reduced ability to financially support higher education. “We have taken serious steps to reduce costs, including cutting administrative and maintenance budgets and restricting hiring in order to meet our strategic goals of providing excellent, affordable and accessible undergraduate as well as professional education,” he said.

Tuition and fees account for approximately 32 percent of the full cost of educating a Delaware resident at the University of Delaware. The additional 68 percent is comprised of state appropriations, contracts and grants, endowment earnings and contributions.

UD receives an appropriation from the state to support the cost of education for in-state students and to build and maintain the University's physical plant. This appropriation accounts for approximately 12 percent of the total UD budget, down from 16 percent last year.

While UD has a lower percentage of in-state resident students than other comparable state flagship universities, nearly 42 percent of the University's students are Delawareans. Four out of five college-bound Delawareans apply to UD; for fall 2010, 89 percent were admitted, either directly to the Newark campus (66 percent) or to the Associate in Arts program (23 percent), which can lead directly to a four-year degree from UD. By contrast, in recent years, on average only 49 percent of out-of-state applicants were admitted.

A comparison of UD undergraduate charges to its comparator institutions -- those public and private institutions of higher education that are either peers or aspirational -- shows that all but three (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of Maryland-College Park and Georgia Institute of Technology) have a higher rate of in-state tuition and fees. For out-of-state residents, all but two institutions (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and University of Maryland-College Park) have a higher rate of tuition and fees than UD. (See accompanying chart.)

UD is a preeminent research university focused on an academic mission, enhancing the human capital of graduates and supporting the state's economic prosperity. “We are a catalyst for economic development in the state and literally a laboratory for discovery with transformational academic programs and services that meet the changing educational needs of a knowledge economy. Undergraduate students at UD benefit from our ability to recruit and retain superb faculty, as well as their participation in knowledge-based research and discovery learning projects,” said Provost Tom Apple. “UD continues to attract some of the best and brightest high school graduates from around the country, provide them with a world-class education, and many choose to reside in Delaware for years after graduation -- contributing to the state's skilled workforce.”

For more information on approved undergraduate tuition rates, room and board and student fees, visit the Student Financial Services website. Also available at this site are important updates for students and families on the financial aid and billing cycle that is initiated as rates are released.

Beginning in the 2009-10 academic year the University established a base rate for graduate student tuition for all graduate students equal to the out-of-state tuition rate. Tuition for graduate students at the University of Delaware will increase by $2,000 for the 2010-11 academic year, bringing the annual full-time graduate tuition cost to $24,240. For more information on approved graduate student tuition and fees, visit the Graduate and Professional Education website.