Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I pay tuition?
You’re making an investment in your future and it does pay off. The average annual earnings of individuals with a bachelor’s degree are more than 75 percent higher than the earnings of high school graduates. These additional earnings add up to more than $1 million over a lifetime.
How does ASU’s tuition compare to other universities?
Arizona State University has one of the lowest levels of tuition and fees of any major public research university in the nation.
ASU’s tuition level ranks at the bottom of the Pac-10 universities. As a member of the Pac-10, it is critical that ASU be as competitive in the classroom as it is in the athletic arena.
What constitutes a reasonable level of tuition?
In 2003 the Arizona Board of Regents established a policy that resident undergraduate tuition, including mandatory fees, would be set at a level no higher than the bottom third of resident tuition rates at the country’s senior public institutions. This rate of tuition would allow higher education to be affordable and reasonable for students and parents and at the same time provide the level of resource support necessary to ensure a quality undergraduate experience.
ASU’s tuition recommendations incorporate the cost increases reflected in the Higher Education Price Index or HEPI, a measure of inflation in the costs of providing a college education. Additionally, we factor in the amount of funds necessary to cover the cost of improving the quality of its programs and services.
Why does tuition rise?
Adequate investment in ASU enables the university to grow in excellence nationally. Studies show that the value of a student’s degree also increases with the excellence of the institution, leading to higher earnings potential.
Appropriate investment in higher education enables smaller class sizes, well-maintained facilities, a quality faculty, and ample academic support and advising.
While total funds available to ASU have increased over the past four years from tuition and new legislative appropriations, the amount has not been enough to support our enrollment growth.
How does more tuition money make ASU better for me?
New tuition dollars allows ASU to continue improving access to a high quality education and the achievement of student success, while remaining among the best educational values in the nation.
With recent tuition increases, quality, along with retention and graduation rates, has improved and increased financial aid has made ASU more affordable.