When university board officials were asked why tuition had increased, they were quick to blame inflation.

Robert A. Brown, the president of Boston University, wrote a letter May 6 to staff and faculty at the University. In his letter, he mentioned that the increased inflationary environment requires an increase in tuition fees to deal with the situation and keep the University running smoothly.

He wrote that the University is caught in an inflationary crisis between institutional pressures and their effects on students and their families. Although he knows that students and their families are also affected by inflation, there is no choice but to raise tuition fees.

In addition to his statement, Robert A. Brown said he is aware of the impact of these increased tuition fees on students, but that is the need of the situation. The increase in tuition does not match the rate of inflation, offsets the expense of University expenses, and funds salaries that would lessen the effect of inflation on the families of University staff and faculty.

In the 2021-22 academic year, Boston University had increased tuition by 3%.

Currently, the rate of inflation is 8%, the highest since 1981. And rising tuition fees cannot compensate for the soaring costs of running the University.

In Tennessee, a committee voted to withdraw the decision to raise tuition for the 2022-23 academic year at public state colleges. Students are already struggling with high living costs, adding to their burden.

At a May 19 meeting, the Tennessee Higher Education Committee voted to freeze that decision in the state. Evan Hope, the chairman of that committee, said in a statement that students are already facing the problem of rising gas, housing and grocery prices. And the freezing of this decision will be a sigh of relief for student checkbooks.

In two weeks, Boston University plans to start class for 2022. This year, the University has academically stronger and more diverse students. The strength of the class is said to be exceeded by 3,100. Last year was the best fundraiser in University history, reaching as much as $225 million, and Brown hopes she will top the mark this year.

As of May 2022, 7,424 students are said to have graduated from Boston University.

What other universities have increased tuition fees?

• Universities and other colleges across the country have also imposed tuition increases.
• Harvard College has increased its tuition by 3%.
• Boston College has increased its tuition by 3.9%.
• The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has increased its tuition by 3.8%.
• George Washington University has increased its tuition by 3.9%.
• Duke University has increased its tuition by 4%.
• The University of Virginia increased its tuition by 4.7%.

What are the other reasons for the increase in tuition fees?

Inflation is not the only reason for Boston University tuition increases. Robert A. Brown cited many reasons for the same. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, the hiring freeze was lifted. Last year, Boston University hired 1,590 staff members. This is 200 more than the 2019-2020 academic year. Yet, many positions are open and it is difficult to manage staff and faculty salaries with a limited fund.