Setting A New Standard In Affordability
Undergraduate Tuition Reduced by 23% Beginning Fall 2018
More than ever before, the cost of a private education appears unaffordable. The process has become a maze of high tuition prices, high discounts and lack of transparency that turns away too many qualified students. Canisius believes the time has come to reverse this trend. Excellence Within Reach, our tuition reduction initiative, is a forward step designed to increase access and bring the transformative experience of a Catholic, Jesuit education within closer reach for all.
Excellence Within Reach lowers our undergraduate tuition by 23% -- resetting it to 2008 levels. It’s a move designed to narrow the gap between our published price and what students actually pay after their financial aid is applied, making Canisius a more realistic possibility from the start. It also reduces housing costs by $2,000, making it more affordable to live on campus. And it maintains our commitment to scholarships and financial aid, further reducing a student’s cost of attendance. When you add it all up, Excellence Within Reach makes Canisius more accessible and affordable for students and families who previously thought a premiere, private education was beyond their reach.
Affordability and accessibility have been part of the Canisius mission for nearly 150 years. Through Excellence Within Reach we’re simply making an education already recognized as an exceptional value – an even better one.
What’s in it for students?
Frequently Asked Questions
Recognized For Excellence
The Canisius name is synonymous with excellence. It’s the standard for all that we do -- from immersive academic learning to transformative experiences that show our students the value of becoming men and women for and with others. Each year, Canisius earns high marks for excellence and value, and that's something we're proud to make available to more students with Excellence Within Reach.
Why is Canisius University reducing its tuition?
Determining the real cost of a private education is difficult under the current “high price/high discount” tuition model. The result is that too many prospective students and their families turn away due to an inflated tuition price before they even apply. They are unaware that few actually pay a college’s published tuition and that the real cost is considerably less due to steep discounts in the form of scholarships and financial aid awards.
By lowering tuition, Excellence Within Reach narrows the gap between our published price and what students and families will actually pay after their financial aid is applied, making Canisius a more realistic possibility from the start. It provides greater transparency to the real cost and prevents families from being deterred by a high published price. It also reduces a student’s cost to attend Canisius, making their college expenses more manageable and providing them with better value overall.
When does the new tuition go into effect?
The new tuition rate goes into effect for the 2018-19 academic year.
Who is eligible to receive the new tuition rate?
All full-time undergraduate students enrolled at Canisius for the 2018-19 academic year. This includes full-time undergraduate students who transfer to Canisius beginning Fall 2018.
How will current students be affected?
With a lower published tuition, every student’s financial need will be lower, so current undergraduate students continuing in the 2018-19 academic year who receive financial aid will see their awards adjusted. However, all continuing undergraduate students are guaranteed to pay no more than they are paying now, and the majority will see a net tuition decrease compared to what they would have paid after a typical increase from this year’s higher rate of tuition. All of this assumes that no significant changes in a student’s financial circumstances have occurred.
Will Canisius still offer financial aid and scholarships?
Yes. We will continue to award merit scholarships and need-based financial aid to all who qualify to make it possible for students to afford Canisius. With a lower published tuition, the need for financial aid will be lower, so these awards will be adjusted to compensate for reduced need.
Will academic or extra-curricular opportunities be affected?
No. The exceptional academic and experiential learning opportunities that define a Canisius education are not changing but are now offered at a lower price. Excellence Within Reach simply means we are encouraging more students to take advantage of our transformative Catholic, Jesuit education.
Will graduate tuition be changing with this new program?
No. The reduction applies only to full-time undergraduate students enrolling for the 2018-19 academic year.
How can we afford to do this?
Resetting our price means that fewer students will be deterred solely by cost, resulting in more applications and ultimately more students enrolling at Canisius. Higher revenue as a result of higher enrollment will offset any revenue lost as a result of the lower tuition price.
Will tuition ever return to the current level?
It is difficult to predict future increases in tuition. Annual tuition increases at Canisius have typically averaged 3%. If tuition was raised by 3 percent each year, it would take ten years to return to the current level.