Tuition increases 4.8 percent for 2008-09

Author: Julie Hail Flory

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Undergraduate tuition at the University of Notre Dame will increase 4.8 percent for the 2008-09 academic year to $36,340, the lowest percentage increase at the University since 1960, and the average room and board rates will be $9,828, for a total cost of $46,168.

In a letter to parents and guardians of students returning for the next academic year, Notre Dames president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., acknowledgedpublic concern over increasing costs of all higher education,and reinforced the Universitys commitment to provide financial assistance to those who need it.

Despite todays difficult economic climate,he wrote,we continue to meet the demonstrated financial need of all our students, graduate 96 percent of our students on time and are greatly pleased by the fact that 99 percent of our graduates find rewarding careers or begin to pursue advanced degrees within one year of their graduation. We also are pleased of our success in many other elements of our undergraduate program, including high freshman retention levels, great alumni satisfaction and low student loan default rates.

While expressing the Universitys determination tokeep the unique Notre Dame undergraduate experience within the reach of its talented and diverse student body,Father Jenkins pointed to last years beatification of Father Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, which founded Notre Dame, as a strong reminder of the Universitys mission.

Underlying Notre Dames continued commitment to excellence is a conviction that a true education must engage the whole person – mind, body and spirit – at the highest levels,he wrote.Father Moreaus conviction that ‘the mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heartprofoundly affected the vision of Notre Dames first president, Father Edward Sorin, and continues to invigorate the life of the University today.

Graduate and professional school tuition also will increase by 4.8 percent, bringing total tuition to $36,240 for the Graduate School and $37,190 for both the Law School and the Masters of Business Administration Program.

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