Despite uncertain state funding, Western Illinois University will keep tuition rates the same next year for incoming students. University President Jack Thomas says holding the line on tuition is the right thing to do.
“We wanna make sure that we continue to be that public institution that is affordable. And I often say that if it had not been for public institutions like Western Illinois University, many of us wouldn’t be here today, including myself.”
Western’s Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to freeze tuition. Western and other public universities in Illinois lock in the tuition rate for four years. Western is the only state school that also locks in student fees and room and board rates. Trustees will set those costs at their next meeting in March.
A year ago Western reduced tuition by 3% for new students. Budget Director Matt Bierman says Western cannot afford to do that again because of the uncertainty of state funding.
