Differential Tuition
The University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors approved the continuation of the McIntire School of Commerce differential tuition plan April 13, 2012. In the upcoming academic year, third- and fourth-year students in the School will pay a $4,000 tuition differential, an increase from the $3,000 that was put into place for the current year. The School hopes to bring the differential to $5,000 for the 2013-2014 academic year.
McIntire will continue to support AccessUVA, the University’s financial aid program, allocating a significant portion of the tuition revenues generated from the differential on a per student basis. The actual amount will be calculated and agreed upon when the financial aid need is determined.
Differential tuition will generate a revenue stream critical to the maintenance and enhancement of McIntire’s position as a global leader in business education. In the seven years that Businessweek has ranked undergraduate business programs, McIntire is the only one to be consistently ranked either first or second. In 2012, it was ranked #2, and #1 among public colleges and universities.
“Funds generated by differential tuition will support and expand the value-added programs and services that enable the School to provide its students with an unparalleled educational experience,” McIntire Dean Carl Zeithaml said. “Differential tuition is a very common funding mechanism at many other undergraduate business programs, and this additional revenue will ensure that our graduates are the best prepared among their national and international peers.”
The tuition revenues will be directed to programs and activities that provide invaluable advisory services, support resources, and new opportunities for students. Investments will be made immediately in the Commerce Career Services Office, the McIntire Student Services Office, the Technology Support function, the innovative, integrative third-year core curriculum, increased course offerings in critical disciplines such as leadership and entrepreneurship, and the School’s diverse global partnerships and study-abroad opportunities.
The additional revenue will also be used to recruit and retain the world-class faculty and staff, who are the long-term foundation of McIntire’s vibrant student experience. Through their commitment to innovation, emphasis on a strong and caring community, and dedication to preparing our students for lifetimes of leadership, integrity, and success, they will ensure the School’s continued excellence.
For more information, contact Jim Travisano at the McIntire School of Commerce (434-924-7005; jet7d@virginia.edu).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does the McIntire School of Commerce assess differential tuition?
The McIntire School finds it necessary to assess differential tuition for two primary reasons: (1) to support and enhance its superb value-added student services, and (2) to help recruit and retain world-class faculty members.
McIntire provides a range of value-added services to students, and the School continuously innovates with respect to these services. In particular, the Commerce Career Services Office, McIntire Student Services Office, Technology Support function, and international programs are well-known for offering services and activities that go significantly beyond those available from core University offices. These services are widely recognized as a point of differentiation and competitive advantage over other colleges and institutions. As such, their preservation and continued enhancement are a key element in maintaining McIntire’s status as a global leader in business education.
McIntire’s superb faculty also plays a critical role in differentiating the School from its peers. As such, it is essential that the School has the financial means to recruit and retain world-class faculty members who—through their commitment to innovation, emphasis on a strong and caring community, and dedication to preparing our students for lifetimes of leadership, integrity, and success—will ensure the School’s continued excellence.
2. What is the amount of the tuition increase?
At its April 2012 meeting, the UVA Board of Visitors approved the continuation of the McIntire School of Commerce differential tuition plan. In the 2012-2013 academic year, third- and fourth-year Commerce students will pay a $4,000 tuition differential, an increase from the $3,000 that was put into place for the 2011-2012 academic year. The School hopes to bring the differential to $5,000 for the 2013-2014 academic year.
3. How do students benefit from differential tuition?
Funds generated by differential tuition are used to recruit and retain world-class faculty members, as well as to support, enhance, and expand the value-added programs and services that enable McIntire to provide its students with an unparalleled educational experience. Not only does students’ day-to-day educational and career-preparation experience directly benefit from the additional revenue generated by differential tuition, but the assessment of differential tuition ensures that their degree from McIntire remains a valuable asset throughout their lives and careers.
4. Is financial aid available?
The differential tuition amount is included in the students’ cost of attendance for financial aid purposes, and students continue to apply and receive aid through the University’s Student Financial Services Office. McIntire continues to support AccessUVA, the University’s financial aid program, allocating a significant portion of annual tuition revenues generated from the differential to the program on a per-student basis, determined across the entire undergraduate population. The actual amount will be calculated and agreed upon when the financial aid need is known.
5. Does the Virginia Prepaid Education Program (VPEP) cover the cost of differential tuition?
VPEP's contract states that it covers only the lowest undergraduate cost of tuition at the institution. Thus, VPEP does not cover the differential tuition because VPEP’s contract states that “if there are additional charges for a specific course of study, such as nursing or engineering, or for more than a full-time course load, these additional costs are not covered by VPEP.” See http://www.virginia529.com/vpep/index.php#restrictions. As for all students, differential tuition does qualify for need-based aid.
6. How much will differential tuition generate for the 2012-2013 academic year?
In 2012-2013, differential tuition will generate approximately $1,870,000 to McIntire, representing approximately 7 percent of the School’s annual revenue.
7. Do other universities and colleges assess differential tuition?
A 2009 survey of 162 public universities conducted by The Advisory Board Company found that 44 percent employed some sort of differential tuition. In addition, an additional 11 percent of schools charged “program fees” for students in certain majors. Of the institutions studied, differential tuition ranged between 2 percent and 40 percent above base tuition levels. No institutions reported that differential tuition caused a drop in underrepresented student enrollment.
8. How can I learn more about differential tuition?
Parents and students: Contact McIntire’s Office of Student Services
Rebecca Leonard, Associate Dean for Student Services
rll9e@virginia.edu
434-924-3865
Media and all other requests: Contact McIntire’s Communications Office
Jim Travisano, Assistant Dean of Communications
jet7d@virginia.edu
434-924-7005