Will These Colleges Survive?

The University of Maryland, long a successful provider of distance learning degree programs, has begun to spin off aspects of university operations as for profit business enterprises. As reported by InsideHigherEd.com today, that is the beginning of  a move to survive declining enrollments that are beginning to adversely affect the bottom line of most colleges and universities that are dependent solely on income from tuition.

Here is a list of annual tuition and fees at Catholic colleges:

Annual Tuition/Fees

• Holy Apostles College and Seminary (CT)              $   7,820
• University of Mary (ND)                                               $   7,995
• Aquinas College (Tenn.)                                               $ 11,610
• Thomas More College (KY)                                          $ 13,360
• Walsh University  (OH)                                                $ 16,500
• Belmont Abbey College (NC)                                     $ 18,500
• Ave Maria University (FL)                                           $ 19,970
• Gregory’s University (OK)                                           $ 22,614
• Northeast Catholic College  (NH)                             $ 23.400
• Thomas Aquinas College (CA)                                   $ 24,500
• Christendom College (VA)                                          $ 24,710
• Franciscan University of Steubenville (OH)          $ 25,220
• Benedictine College (KS)                                             $ 26,730
• Mount St. Mary’s University (NY)                            $ 28,050
• Wyoming Catholic (WY)                                              $ 21,500

Though tuition at most of these institutions are lower than these “high end” colleges in Pennsylvania, they must begin to find ways to supplement income from other sources. If they begin now, they might survive the coming death of American higher education.