Emerson College is set to increase the undergraduate costs of attendance by four percent for the 2023-24 academic year, according to a community-wide email from Interim President William Gilligan and Board of Trustees Chair Eric Alexander Thursday afternoon.
The increase would bring tuition up to $54,379 from $52,228 this year and single room and board up to $20,829 from $20,028 this year. Combined, full-time Emerson students in a single room will pay $75,208 (up from $72,316) per academic year—a difference of $2,892.
The pair wrote that the decision was influenced by “inflationary pressures,” an increase in the amount of financial aid awarded, increased labor costs, and the impact of years of below-average tuition increases — particularly during the pandemic.
“Although we would all prefer no changes to cost, the college believes this increase is necessary in order to provide a dynamic and robust learning experience in the face of these conditions,” the email said.
During the pandemic, Emerson sought to limit tuition increases to no more than two percent, the email said. The incoming four percent increase remains “below the current rate of inflation.”
Gilligan and Alexander cited several initiatives the college has funded as motivators for the raise, such as an investment in salary increases for college employees, the expansion of the Social Justice Collaborative, and the Emersion: Foundations of Success program for first-year students.
College officials and members of the Board of Trustees will implement reforms to “enhance the engagement” of students and their families with the Financial Aid Office, the email said.
The college’s Office of Financial Aid and Office of Student Success will work together to support students, the email said. Students who need resources or guidance on additional funding sources should contact one of the aforementioned offices at [email protected] or [email protected].
Paul Dworkis, the college’s chief financial officer, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. College spokesperson Michelle Gaseau referred the Beacon to the community-wide email and did not provide additional information.
Emerson’s student union announced a “rally against tuition hikes” slated to take place April 21 at 1 p.m. in the 2 Boylston Place alleyway, according to their Instagram account, demanding a say in deciding the cost of attendance.
