President Bill Greer notified students and faculty of a 5 percent tuition increase for the upcoming 2016-17 school year via email on March 15. The increase, he states, is due to “economic realities of increased operational costs, insurance, utilities, etc.”

 

This announcement was met with a variety of responses from students.

 

“When I saw the increase, I immediately started looking for more scholarships,” freshman Cara Clark said.

 

Clark, a communications major, found out about the tuition increase from Greer’s email. She said that she was not previously aware that tuition was “that much” to begin with, though she noted that it is still lower than many private colleges.

 

Emily Williams, a senior theater major, also read about the increase in Greer’s email. She said that she disregarded the email for the most part, since she is a senior and will graduate before the increase goes into effect.

 

“I already feel that tuition was expensive enough--a lot of people already can’t afford it,” she said. “I feel like maybe not as many people will be able to come.”

 

Lexi Weddler and Taylor Freeman seemed worried about the increase in tuition. The students wished Milligan allowed off-campus living because they believe that would be a more affordable option.

 

“My family has four kids and two of them are already in college, so this will only make it harder for us to afford it,” Freeman said.

 

Weddler said she is barely able to pay for college now and will be greatly affected by the increase.

 

But some students said the tuition increase simply means making some minor adjustments in how they spend their money.

 

Noah Evans, a junior Bible and humanities major, said he had assumed the tuition rate would go up, “because it always does.” He said he has a summer job that will help him pay for tuition.

 

Sophomore communications major Taylor Martin wondered what the extra 5 percent was going toward, but was resigned to the increase, saying she “probably shouldn’t go eat Taco Bell as much anymore.”  

“I feel like the cost is worth it now, because of the experiences I get while here,” she said. “I think God will provide the opportunities and/or resources for me to take care of my finances.”