YSU trustees approve estimated tuition increase

On Monday, during a board of trustees committee meeting, university leaders at Youngstown State University (YSU) voted to advance a proposal to increase tuition by at least three percent.

Neal McNally, the university's Vice President of Finance and Business Operations, presented a list of recommendations aimed at generating revenue to some members of the board of trustees and President Bill Johnson. The proposed tuition increase was at the top of that list.

As of Tuesday, during the YSU Board of Trustees meeting on June 24, the proposed tuition increase was approved.

The increase would begin in the 2025-2026 school year. McNally noted that undergraduates already enrolled at YSU for the fall semester would be exempt from this increase because of the 'Penguin Tuition Promise,' which assures students that they will have a fixed tuition rate.

Graduate programs, including online options, would also see a three percent hike. McNally stated that once tuition is raised by 3-4%, it will remain fixed for four years.

"Keep in mind that these increases in tuition, they don't come every year, and it has been relatively flat for a while." President Bill Johnson said. 

According to the university's website, the average tuition at YSU is $11,900. Johnson outlined several reasons why the increase is necessary.

"...to pay for additional costs, such as increase in inflation, the cost of doing business, the cost of supplies, the cost of health care, all of those things." Johnson said. 

While the university can provide an estimated figure, Johnson stated that the final tuition amount remains uncertain until the state budget is approved.

"We'll be reassessing and determine what our final budget is going to look like, and we'll bring any updates and corrections to that to the board in September." Johnson said. 

In addition, McNally noted that they received approval from the Ohio Department of Higher Education to adjust the Cliffe College fee by $11 per credit hour. He also recommended increases to international student fees during the meeting, which would include a $10-per-hour rise to the non-resident international surcharge.