The University of St. Thomas announced its plan this February to increase tuition by 3.9 percent for the 2016-2017 academic year.

This increase matches those of the past three years as St. Thomas raises tuition yearly to cover institutional costs. Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer Mark Vangsgard said 75 percent of the budget goes to employee salary and benefits while the other 25 percent goes to contracted services.

“For the same reasons that our operating costs go up, their operating costs go up,” Vangsgard said, listing services like employee benefits, buses and electrical contractors.

Graduate programs are also raising tuition, but the deans decide that increase for their own programs – usually ranging from 0 to 4 percent. Vangsgard acknowledged the high cost of tuition, but said the St. Thomas experience makes the money worth it.

“When we compare ourselves … as a general population of private schools to public schools, we are going to be more expensive,” Vangsgard said. “But hopefully there is a differentiation in terms of personal care, personal attention, internships, job placement and all those other good things.”

In comparison to other private universities in the state, Vangsgard mentioned that St. Thomas tuition costs are still lower, even with past increases. He also said that although increases take place, students have an opportunity to make up that money.

“We’re projecting a larger increase in scholarship and discount next year than the tuition increase,” Vangsgard said. “So the net tuition of what students actually pay is kind of muddled in this gross and discount and net equation.”

Junior and business major Rizwan Bankwala said that although St. Thomas is expensive, the return investment is worth it.

“The school is renowned for its high-achieving students, professors and alumni. The cost of school cannot be critiqued because we don’t know what goes into the equation,” Bankwala said. “I applaud St. Thomas for taking care of its people.”

Although some students don’t mind, others find the increase frustrating. Freshman Alice Ready said it is hard to watch the tuition increase because other generations haven’t paid a fraction of what students now pay for college.

“I know when you come to a smaller school that you’re going to get more attention, and you definitely pay for that,” Ready said. “But I think it would be also nice to know why there’s an increase in tuition or what they’re going to be doing to enhance the area – whatever they need more money for.”

Although tuition has increased every school year, Ready said that because she and other students pay for the majority of their tuition, she would like the university to alert them of such changes.

“I think it’s important to be aware of rising tuition, especially if you’re the one paying for it,” Ready said.

Aside from basic costs, Bankwala suggests that students should go into fields that have greater job opportunities to ensure that the money spent is worth it.

“Figure out what majors and determine what fields you might like before signing up for courses. Sort out which programs will be in demand several months from now,” Bankwala said. “Learn skills, not just facts.”

Noura Elmanssy can be reached elma7206@stthomas.edu.