Boston College’s Board of Trustees has set tuition for the 2019-20 academic year at $56,780—a 3.9 percent increase over the 2018-19 total—bringing the final cost of attendance to $72,736 per year, according to a University release. Need-based financial aid has also been increased for the upcoming year to $140.3 million per year, a $9 million, 6.9 percent bump from the current level.
The tuition increase is set at a slightly higher increment than previous years—tuition was increased 3.6 percent prior to both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 academic years. The financial aid increase is smaller than last year, when it was increased by 8.1 percent, but still far larger than the 5.1 percent increase in aid made prior to the 2017-18 academic year.
Over 67 percent of BC students receive financial aid, according to the release, which is consistent with the 2018-19 mark. BC is a need-blind institution, meaning that it does not consider one’s need for financial aid when making admission decisions. The average financial aid package will be more than $47,000 in 2019-20, a $2,000 increase from the 2018-19 level.
Tuition for BC’s graduate programs will increase this upcoming year. BC Law students will see tuition rise to $56,940, up from $54,750 in 2018-19 and $52,640 in 2017-18.
The Carroll School of Management’s full-time M.B.A. program tuition has also been increased to $53,250, from $51,200 in 2018-19 and $49,230 in 2017-18.
“Recognizing the burden that tuition and student fees has on our families, the University takes great care every year to balance the budget and ensure that expenditures are carefully aligned with the immediate and long-term needs of Boston College to ensure our students have access to a first rate educational experience,” Executive Vice President Michael Lochhead said in the release.
“Tuition increases this year help offset cost increases related to financial aid for students, salaries for faculty and staff, and costs related to new and existing facilities.”
Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley said that the 2019-20 University budget will also fund “critical strategic investments in new faculty and academic priorities,” according to the release.
Featured Image by Jonathan Ye / Heights Editor
