Tuition Hike at Holy Cross University Linked to Non-profit Student Athlete Compensation Program
In an exclusive interview conducted on April 9th, 2024 by The Spire's Editors-in-Chief, Ben Lepper '25 and Nathan Howard '25, President Rougeau of the College of the Holy Cross addressed a significant change in the university's financial landscape – a 5.6% tuition increase for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The increase, which brings the tuition fee for the upcoming year to $68,090, is a response to unavoidable cost increases related to personnel and inflation, as President Rougeau and Athletic Director Kit Hughes revealed in their YouTube video "The Truth - A Message About Tuition Increases."
The video, released by the university leadership, provides a transparent explanation of the reasons behind the tuition adjustment. The increase is necessary to cover rising faculty and staff salaries and associated fringe benefits, inflationary impacts on the overall cost of running academic programs, and additional operational costs including supplies and resources necessary for curriculum delivery.
This context aligns with broader trends in higher education financing, where tuition increases often reflect the growing costs of personnel and inflation rather than arbitrary pricing decisions.
In the interview, President Rougeau also addressed the school's recent focus on athletics. The tuition increase is part of a reshaped focus on athletic programs and reclaiming Holy Cross' title as an elite athletic school. The College plans to generate interest in the school's sports by instituting a school dress code made up primarily of Holy Cross athletic gear.
However, it's important to note that the tuition increase is not solely for athletic purposes. The funds will also be used to maintain the school's high-quality education and campus resources.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, 65% of the student body benefited from the $76.5 million set aside by the school to cover tuition for students coming from families with annual incomes of less than $100,000, a policy that has been in place since the 2022-2023 academic year.
Despite the tuition increase, the College of the Holy Cross remains committed to providing financial aid to those who need it, ensuring that a quality education remains accessible to all.
[1] The Truth - A Message About Tuition Increases. (2024). YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWgf123456
- Athletic Director Kit Hughes and President Rougeau explained in their video "The Truth - A Message About Tuition Increases" that the 5.6% tuition increase for the 2025-2026 academic year is a response to rising faculty and staff salaries, inflationary impacts, and operational costs.
- President Rougeau revealed in the interview that the tuition increase is necessary to cover costs related to personnel, inflation, and the overall cost of running academic programs, as well as additional operational costs.
- The College of the Holy Cross plans to use the funds from the tuition increase not only to reclaim its title as an elite athletic school but also to maintain its high-quality education and campus resources.
- During the 2024-2025 academic year, 65% of the student body benefited from the financial aid set aside by the school to cover tuition for students coming from families with annual incomes of less than $100,000.
- The College remains committed to providing financial aid to those who need it, ensuring that a quality education remains accessible to all.
- Alumni and faculty, as well as interested students, can learn more about the tuition increase and the university's financial landscape by watching "The Truth - A Message About Tuition Increases" on YouTube. [1]
