Georgetown University

In challenging times, Georgetown University remains focused on building and maintaining its community of students and faculty and helping them sustain their professional and academic careers.  Georgetown University’s Board of Directors has accordingly approved a 2.9 percent increase in undergraduate tuition rates for the 2009-10 academic year. This limited growth reflects the university’s commitment to keep costs down for students and families impacted by the economic recession.

Undergraduate tuition will increase next year to $38,616, compared to $37,536 this year.  Room and board charges will also go up 2.9%.  The total cost of undergraduate tuition, fees and average room and board for 2009-10 will be $51,543.

“We are working hard to be mindful of economic impacts facing current and prospective students,” said James J. O’Donnell, University Provost. “We are balancing the need to limit tuition growth during these uncertain financial times with the need to continue to support top notch faculty and provide exceptional academic programs and services.”

Need-based scholarship aid is expected to increase as well, with initial budget projections allocating $88 million, an 18% increase from current levels.  Georgetown has doubled its expenditures on undergraduate scholarship aid over the past decade, increasing scholarship spending at more than twice the rate of tuition growth. In 2007-08 Georgetown provided close to $57 million in need-based scholarships. Each year more than 55 percent of Georgetown undergraduates receive some form of financial assistance and 35% receive need-based institutional aid. Georgetown University provides scholarships for approximately 2,700 undergraduates, with most awarded on the basis of financial need.

“Given the economic climate it is likely that our students will need even more financial aid than in the past and we want to be able to help,” said O’Donnell. “We are working on an individual basis now with students and families who may be experiencing changing economic circumstances but it may be some time before we know the full financial needs of all of next year’s undergraduates.  We are making every effort to keep tuition rates down and provide financial support for our students and families.”

The Board of Directors also approved 2009-10 tuition increases for graduate programs, including those in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences as well as the schools of business, law and medicine.

About Georgetown University

Georgetown University is the oldest and largest Catholic and Jesuit university in America, founded in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll. Georgetown today is a major student-centered, international, research university offering respected undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in Washington, DC, Doha, Qatar and around the world. For more information about Georgetown University, visit www.georgetown.edu.