Q: How does the University set tuition and fee rates?
A: Tuition and fees are determined as part of the University’s anticipated annual revenue and expenses during the annual budget development process. St. °µÍø½ûÇø sets tuition and fee rates following a careful review of our resources and expenses in relation to our mission and strategic plan goals. We evaluate the most essential issues to ensure delivery of an excellent education, including support and development of academic programs and initiatives, student financial need and funding for student financial aid, attracting and retaining high quality faculty and staff, and facilities and capital improvements. The University has determined the tuition rates necessary to meet our budget and operating needs for the fiscal year and advanced the minimum increases required to continue delivery of the excellent education St. °µÍø½ûÇø students continue to expect.
Q. What does my tuition cover?
A. St. °µÍø½ûÇø charges tuition to support all of the costs and expenses necessary to deliver an excellent education on campus and online for all students, from first-year undergraduate to doctoral levels: small classes, supportive faculty with deep knowledge of their disciplines, ongoing enhancement of a historic campus as well as an expanding technology and virtual infrastructure, academic support and co-curricular services, and student services.
Q: When do the new rates go into effect?
A: Tuition and fees are established annually and new rates go into effect during the summer term to align with the University’s fiscal year. This year, the summer term begins May 27, 2025, and the 2025-26 rates will be in effect for the Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026 semesters.
Note: The is delivered on a separate calendar with new rates effective annually each fall term.
Q: Where can I find tuition and fee rates?
A: Tuition and fee rates are posted above, along with billing, payment processes and the Summary of Financial Procedures.
Q: Who is billed under the banded tuition structure?
A: Students admitted to the College for Women (CFW) effective Fall 2022 and after are billed under the banded tuition structure. Continuing CFW students who opt in to the 2023-2024 or later Undergraduate Academic Catalog will be billed under the banded tuition structure. Please see the Banded Tuition Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Q. Why am I charged a Technology Fee?
A. Technology is a key component of the infrastructure necessary to provide the desired curriculum and student experience. The technology fee helps fund some of the annual cost of licensing and maintenance for our core student software and technology services including the network, student enterprise system, course management system, computer labs and software, checkout equipment, and the establishment and management of services such as group studies and lab spaces for student use. These systems are designed to improve academic success and student services such as advising, degree audit, and mobile apps for student class information, schedule, and grades.
Q: What is the Student Activity Fee?
A: Student activity fees are charged to St. °µÍø½ûÇø students each semester. The fee is used to support the student governing boards, a wide variety of on-campus and online student groups, programs and events, and to support student service offices and programming. The fee and how it is allocated varies according to the different student populations to best support our students. We recognize the importance and value in maintaining our community for students during the pandemic, and the student governing bodies and student groups continue to meet online.
Q: What is the Nursing Program Fee?
A: The Nursing Program Fee is charged to undergraduate nursing students each semester following their admission to the major. This fee supports a range of expenses associated with the Nursing program, including securing clinical placements, development of the nursing curriculum, lab experience and equipment, and nursing board exam preparation program and services.
Q: Is there a parking fee?
A: Parking on campus is limited, and many students take public transportation or utilize street parking when commuting to campus. For those who purchase a parking permit, the cost of the permit helps offset public safety and facility expenses such as snow removal necessary to maintain parking areas. A separate parking fee is not assessed to all students, only those who purchase a permit pay for parking.
Q: How are residence hall and meal plan rates established?
A: Residence hall and meal plan rates are set annually as part of the overall University budget process following a thorough review of room availability and demand, facilities improvement and operational needs, contracted services and options, and cost to students and families. Please contact the Residence Life Office For more information on residence halls and details about on-campus housing and meal plans.
Q: Is there a tuition expense for Study Abroad?
A: Students may study abroad as part of their required program of study, and the cost to study abroad varies by the study abroad program. Students who study abroad will work with the Office of Global Studies to determine the total cost. In general, students will pay their standard tuition rate for the applicable semester plus a study abroad program fee which covers travel and related expenses. Study abroad scholarships may be available through the Office of Global Studies to help offset the additional expenses associated with study abroad.
Q: What tuition and fees will I pay if I defer enrollment or take a leave of absence?
A: Students are charged the tuition and fee rates that are in place at the time of enrollment. For example, a student who deferred admission from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025 or took a leave of absence for the 2024-25 academic year and returns to the University in Fall 2025 will pay the 2025-26 rates. Students should file the 2025-26 FAFSA and consult with the financial aid office to review potential impact on their aid package.
Q: If my classes are being delivered online; do I still pay the same tuition rate?
A: Yes. St. °µÍø½ûÇø offers courses across multiple modalities (e.g. in-person, online, hybrid) and tuition rates are determined by college and program of study, not by delivery method. Faculty teach both online and on-campus courses depending on the program and course. St. Kate’s is committed to delivering well designed online courses by professors trained in effective online teaching practices and takes significant effort to deliver high quality online education. Generally 8-10 hours of online programming and instruction is required for every one hour of face-to-face time with students.
The University is committed to maintaining the high quality and level of rigor in online instruction that is found in our traditional face-to-face instruction. And our accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, requires us to maintain this high level of quality. There are costs associated with the ongoing development of online courses in this method that meets the Higher Learning Commission requirements. This includes monitoring course development and delivery for accreditation, technological support, technology software and virtual learning software for labs and simulations, and multimedia products.
Q: How is St. °µÍø½ûÇø ensuring delivery of high quality education online?
A. The University engages in online instruction, a specific method of delivering coursework that maximizes learning in an online format. This method keeps student learning as the focus and organizes course content into the most effective way for students to access and engage with it. This includes things like where materials are located, how learning activities are designed, new uses of technology and multimedia to enhance learning, and assessment of student outcomes.
Additionally, students should be mindful of the level of preparation of their faculty. St. Kate’s faculty are high-caliber professionals in their fields who have spent years becoming subject matter experts who deserve and expect compensation for their work. Our dedicated faculty work diligently to ensure students continue to have the quality experience they have come to know and expect from St. Kate’s. They also continue to build their skills and knowledge to deliver this quality education in a manner and format that meets student needs and allows students remote access to pursue their educational goals.
Q: Will St. °µÍø½ûÇø freeze tuition?
A: No. St. °µÍø½ûÇø is a private nonprofit university that does not receive supplemental support from the state and generates funding through tuition and fees, gifts, and grants to support all operations. Public colleges and universities receive significant state funding to support operations and tuition rates and are subject to state approval. The University has determined the tuition rates necessary to meet our budget and operating needs for the fiscal year and advanced the minimum increases required to continue delivery of the excellent education St. °µÍø½ûÇø students continue to expect.