2017-18 tuition rates to increase by average of 2.3 per cent

Undergraduate students will see an increase ranging from zero to five per cent, while graduate students will have a slight rate change averaging one per cent. The increase is less than the 2.5 per cent increase students faced in the 2016-17 academic year.

“The board considers many factors when setting tuition rates,” said Lee Ahenakew, chair of the U of S Board of Governors, which approved the increase at its December meeting. “We understand overall affordability is a significant consideration for our students and their families and we strive to keep tuition increases manageable, while still ensuring the quality of our programs remains high.”

Tuition rates in the College of Arts and Science, where nearly half of all U of S students are enrolled, will change by 2.5 per cent on average. With the increase, the university projects the overall rate to be 18.1 per cent below the median rate of comparable programs across Canada. The average arts and science student will pay $6,102 for tuition in 2017-18.

“The tuition our students pay is an investment in their futures and they rightfully expect to see value for that investment,” said John Rigby, interim associate provost, Institutional Planning and Assessment. “Meeting those expectations is very important to us, and the revenue brought in through tuition is used to maintain and enhance the programs and services we offer, so our students receive the level of education and support that will see them be successful long after they graduate.”

Tuition is reviewed annually by the Board of Governors and is set according to three principles: comparability to similar programs at other Canadian U15 medical-doctoral universities; accessibility and affordability for the majority of potential students; and the quality of programs and the need to ensure students receive a high-quality education.

Revenue from tuition comprises about 25 per cent of the university’s operating budget. It is used to ensure ongoing program offerings; fund specific enhancements in programs, student services and the student experience; and to set aside needs-based assistance for students who have modest financial resources. The balance of the university’s operating revenue comes from the Government of Saskatchewan, interprovincial funding, investments and other sources.

In addition to tuition, students pay a variety of fees that are used to fund specific student benefits offered as part of their university education. Student fees for the regular session for undergraduate students will be $834.65, an increase of 1.8 per cent, and $921.46 for graduate students, an increase of 3.5 per cent.

Those costs are made up of institutional fees that support activities like student recreation services, and third-party fees that support programs such as The Sheaf student newspaper and the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union. In certain situations, students are able to opt out of portions of the student fees, such as the u-pass fee or the health and dental fees, if they have other coverage.

For specific rates, visit: usask.ca/tuition.