The William & Mary Board of Visitors voted unanimously Tuesday to raise tuition for incoming in-state freshmen.
Tuition for rising sophomores, juniors and seniors will remain unchanged under the William & Mary Promise.
Tuition will rise 5.4 percent, to $18,375 per year for in-state undergraduate students, according to a news release from William & Mary.
The current tuition rate for in-state undergraduate students in the class of 2018-2019 is $17,434 — $941 less than the new rate.
Students may not pay the full “sticker price,” depending on their level of need and the amount of financial aid they receive.
“We are acutely aware of the impact to students and families of the growing cost of higher education. At William & Mary, we have utilized the Promise to ensure that a student’s net cost remains as low as possible and is predictable for incoming students,” said Rector John Littel.
Next, the Board of Visitors will vote on tuition for other student groups in April, including out-of-state undergraduates, graduates and professionals. That vote will also cover mandatory fees for all students.
William & Mary Promise
Current William & Mary students will not see a tuition increase thanks to the William & Mary Promise.
The Promise is a policy adopted by the Board of Visitors in 2013 that guarantees in-state undergraduates will not see another tuition hike while they are enrolled.
Each year, the Board of Visitors presents a 6-year plan to the state, which includes projected tuition and fee increases.
The Board of Visitors first considered a projected increase of 6.4 percent, but voted in September to make an amendment, reducing the projected tuition and fee increase.
Tuition for in-state undergraduate students has gone up each year since at least 2015, according to the William & Mary website.
Tuition for students enrolled for various school years is as follows:
- 2015-2016 — $13,978
- 2016-2017 — $15,674
- 2017-2018 — $16,370
- 2018-2019 — $17,434
The revenue generated by this most recent increase will be used for personnel costs, including the university’s share of any state-mandated increases in salaries, fringe and health benefit changes, need-based financial aid, and institutional initiatives.
“William & Mary provides a high-touch, high results academic model that focuses on a personalized educational experience,” said W&M President Katherine A. Rowe. “It is essential that we ensure that experience remains accessible to students with financial need and that families paying full cost have this information well in advance so they understand the value they are receiving and can consider all factors when making these important decisions.”
