JBU announces lowest price-rate increase in 31 years

John Brown University announced this week its lowest price-rate increase in 31 years. The 2.99 percent increase in traditional undergraduate’s tuition, fees, room and board for 2017-18 amounts to $1,020, the lowest dollar change in 13 years.

Tuition for degree completion program remained flat at $420 per credit hour. For graduate students, tuition increased 2.2 percent, a $12 increase to $560 per credit hour for business, counseling and visual arts majors and a $10 increase to $460 per credit hour for education majors.

“JBU is committed to helping students of all economic

backgrounds afford college as we deal with upward cost pressures in our operational expenses from areas such as health care,” said Kim Hadley, vice president for finance and administration. “We aggressively fundraise and provide millions of dollars each year in need — and merit-based scholarships to help offset price increases. Our financial aid team works individually with students who may need extra assistance to identify resources to lower their higher education costs.”

In 2016-17, JBU granted more than $15.5 million in institutional and endowed scholarships. Based on student need, JBU has budgeted more than $16 million in institutional and endowed scholarships for 2017-18.

Increases for tuition, fees, room and board for 2017-18 are:

• Tuition is up $782 to $25,000

• Fees are up $38 to $1,144

• Room/Board is $200 to $9,040

• Total cost is up $1,020 to $35,184.