State System freezes tuition rates for seventh year
Students at schools in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) will not see any increase in tuition for the coming school year.
PASSHE’s board of governors voted unanimously Wednesday to freeze tuition for in-state undergraduate students for the 2024-25 academic year. It marks the seventh consecutive year the tuition rate will remain the same at all 10 universities of PASSHE, which includes PennWest California.
“The decision by the Board of Governors to freeze tuition for a seventh consecutive year is wonderful news for students who have enrolled at PennWest this fall – and an important consideration for those who are still weighing their college options,” said Wendy Mackall, PennWest executive director of communications. “Student success is our No. 1 priority, and keeping the cost of higher education affordable is critical to that mission. Many PennWest graduates major in areas with in-demand jobs and most of our graduates live and work in Pennsylvania. Providing a high-quality, more affordable higher education option is incredibly beneficial to our students and our region.”
State System universities are PennWest (California, Clarion and Edinboro), Cheyney, Commonwealth (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield), East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester.
The repeated freezes have saved students nearly 25% in tuition costs compared to the price if tuition had risen at the inflation rate for the last six years.
The board of governors sets the in-state undergraduate tuition rate for PASSHE universities. Each university sets tuition rates for graduate students and out-of-state undergraduates, as well as room, board and mandatory fees for all students.
A key in being able to freeze the tuition was the state budget negotiated by Gov. Josh Shapiro and the legislature. The spending plan invests an additional $35.1 million, or 6%, in PASSHE universities.
“PASSHE is proud to keep tuition frozen for a seventh consecutive year, and we thank the governor and the legislature for their increased investment which helps make this tuition freeze possible,” said Cynthia Shapira, board chair. “State funding is a lifeline for our students to afford college, and freezing tuition for another year was a top priority for PASSHE as we continue to transform the State System for the future, support opportunities for more people to get available education and prepare graduates to fill shortages throughout the workforce and serve their communities.”
Chancellor Dan Greenstein also expressed his appreciation for the support from the governor and legislature.
“Pennsylvania’s workforce depends on the talented and well-educated graduates from PASSHE universities,” Greenstein said. “Together with the state, we are making higher education more affordable and accessible, and strengthening the college-to-career pipeline of innovative thinkers and problem solvers, which benefits the students, their families and Pennsylvania’s economy.”