William & Mary keeps tuition flat, abiding by Youngkin’s request | Education

The college’s board voted in May to leave the cost of tuition the same but raise fees, upping the bill for an education by less than 1%. In-state undergraduates will pay roughly $24,000 annually for tuition and fees.

Three weeks ago, Youngkin asked the state’s colleges not to raise the cost of tuition. In a letter to college presidents, he said he wants to lower the cost of higher education.

William & Mary’s leadership has close ties to the administration. The head of the school’s board, John Littel, is the state’s secretary of Health and Human Resources.

“William & Mary is holding tuition flat again this year despite significant financial challenges and critical needs,” Littel said in a statement. “We understand the strain our students and their families are going through.”

Last year, William & Mary projected a 4.6% increase to its tuition. But an expected increase in state funding and ongoing financial challenges to students — such as increased inflation — led the board in a different direction.

Like every state school, William & Mary must boost the salary of its employees by roughly 5%. The university must pay the bulk of that cost — the state will pay the rest.

To balance the budget as required, the school said it will cut spending in other areas.

Need-based financial aid will continue to be a priority, the school said. In the past 10 years, it has raised the amount of undergraduate aid from $18 million to $46 million.

William & Mary charges more for tuition and fees than any other public college in Virginia. Its tuition is roughly $10,000 higher than the state average.

The school also will raise the cost of room and board 2.5%. Students who live on campus will pay $38,000 each year for tuition, fees and room and board before scholarships and grants.

This is the fifth year in a row the school has kept tuition flat, though it has raised fees during that time.