A Rise in Tuition is Getting a Rise out of Students

By Rylee Baker

It’s no secret that in the past four years, things have continued to skyrocket in price as basic needs become more expensive. College tuition is no exception with Susquehanna University increasing its tuition. But is the rise in tuition and basic needs on campus justifiable?  

According to Forbes Advisor, a survey conducted by Payroll.org, 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, with each generation having unique financial struggles. Every year inflation increases by a small amount, but from 2022-2024 inflation increased by 3.31%. This being the biggest jump since 1981.  

In the opinion of College Factual, Susquehanna is known for being an expensive college. The average cost of a year at a private non-profit university is $40,000, all the while Susquehanna’s is $58,750. The tuition has already increased from last year by 3.91% while other private non-profit schools have decreased within the past year by a small percentage.  

Susquehanna has increased its tuition more than current inflation trends. Tuition isn’t even the only expense for college students. Basic needs such as food and textbooks have also increased drastically at Susquehanna, the French 101 required textbook is around $230 to buy new and the Intro to Statistics book is $90 just to rent.  

The most popular meal plan at Susquehanna, the Platinum Plan, costs $7100 per year. The plan comes with 21 meals a week or three meals a day. But as food prices increase, the value of a meal swipe does not increase. Scholarly Grounds, a coffee place on campus, has increased its prices within the past few years. “When I was a freshman, yogurt bowls cost $4.99 and included toppings,” says student manager, Arabella Cox. The menu now shows that a yogurt bowl is $6.50 and only includes two toppings. Cox also mentioned that despite rising prices every year, student workers haven’t received a raise in over 6 years.  

Many students are expressing their opinions on the surge in prices. “I go through meals so fast even though I have the 3 meals a day plan,” said sophomore, Danielle Botial. Another student, Bella Daubermen said, “I have to waste a meal swipe a day just for coffee. I’m basically replacing a meal for caffeine.”  

Susquehanna has increased all its prices for students in both academics and the basic needs for living on campus. The future and what Susquehanna decides to implant over the next few months will reveal whether the rise in expenses is worth it or not.