Marshall’s CFO says how some students are charged tuition per semester has been simplified, while other students still have to consider the different types of fees they may be charged.
“In general, the tuition rates that students charge are broken down into three categories. You have what’s called tuition and general fees, and that’s just a big portion of the tuition,” said Matt Tidd, Marshall’s chief financial officer.
“And then we have the student-related fees that we just talked about,” Ted said. “Then you have the program-specific fees. The program-specific fees vary for each college. This is the industry standard.”
The first non-tuition fees charged to students are called student related fees. This is the same for all students enrolled at the university. As of 2023, full-time students pay $785 per semester for this fee. In the past, students were given a detailed list of services for which they were billed, but that is no longer the case, according to Ted.
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“For a decade or so, institutions in higher education, including my former institution, have gone to a fee simplification model where previously all of these fees were on the student bill — you can see everything they went to — now they’re combined into one fee,” he said. Ted previously served as chief budget officer at West Virginia University, Ted said.
Ted explained that student-related fees can be divided into two categories. The first is known as private institution fees, which make up approximately one-third of student-related fees. This fee goes entirely to the Rec Center, Marshall’s on-campus gym, saving students a membership and going directly toward debt payments toward the Rec Building.
Other student related fees are standard surcharges. This goes to many different services on campus and students.
“The big amount they charge there, out of the $481, almost 80% of it is athletic fees. So, the students go to the games for free, if you will. You get free tickets to every sporting event. You come in,” Ted said. “This money goes through student bills and then goes to the athletic department to cover their expenses.”
The remaining 20% of the standard surcharge goes to services such as the Marshall Artist Series, corporate services such as the Office of Student Affairs, the Memorial Student Center, and the free bus pass provided to Marshall students through the Tri-State Transit Authority.
Ted also explained how public transport fares were introduced and the work currently being done to evaluate their effectiveness.
“I understand that about five, six, seven, eight years ago, the Student Government Association and the students here at that time voted to increase the fee for access to that service. And that’s a service that we’re working with now to make sure it continues to be used. ‘Is it reliable? Is it safe?’ ?’ All those kinds of things, Ted said.
The way these fees are charged varies for online students as part of the university’s efforts to attract more of these students. In the past, online students were given a complex and varied list of fees each semester. Starting this year, these students will be charged a fixed tuition fee equal to the resident tuition rate.
Another recent change to online student fees is that they are now given access to services on campus, including gym memberships and admission to sporting events, a change that was also made in the last financial year.
In addition to student-related fees, students are also charged program-specific fees based on their college or major. These fees can vary quite a bit in cost, with the most expensive program costing approximately $900 per semester and the cheapest costing just over $100.
Ted went on to explain this difference.
“…something like nursing would have more equipment; “They offer internships, they offer labs, they have all these different costs, so that’s really one of the reasons they charge higher than liberal arts,” Ted said.
Ted also explained that these fees for the program go directly to the colleges and do not pass through the university. These costs are also determined by the specific college, although the university sets some guidelines.
“They can’t go out there and say: ‘We want a 20% increase this year.’ We try to keep it within a maximum of 1-3% increase on an annual basis. So, academic leaders and deans have a free say in how program fees are handled .
The most expensive program-specific fees are for the College of Engineering and Computer Science ($887 per semester for non-residents) and the Nursing program ($846 per semester for non-residents). The cheapest fees are for students in the College of Liberal Arts ($108 for West Virginia residents) and the Journalism program ($113 per semester for West Virginia residents).
These costs are subject to change as the university prepares to set tuition and fee rates for fiscal year 2025, although Ted explained that the goal is to limit cost increases as much as possible.
“Our number one financial guideline is to attract more students here, but not increase fees. So, we’re going to maintain that affordability. Really, we want to keep it as affordable here as possible,” said Ted, of The university is currently scheduled to not exceed a 2% annual increase as part of its three-year plan.
The ever-rising cost of college tuition and associated fees has become a hot-button issue for students and their families. As Chief Financial Officer of a prominent college, Marshall has a unique perspective on the true cost of college. In this discussion, Marshall will break down the various expenses associated with pursuing higher education, including tuition, program-specific fees, and other hidden costs that often catch students off guard. Through this insightful examination, we hope to shed light on the financial burden of obtaining a college degree and provide valuable information for students and families navigating the complex world of higher education finances.