Purdue continues tuition freeze

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Tuition at Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus will continue at the current rate through the 2021-2022 school year, which will mark the ninth straight year of tuition stability. Purdue President Mitch Daniels made the tuition announcement over the weekend, along with introducing a 3% salary merit pool for West Lafayette employees for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Total student loan debt in the U.S. is now at $1.56 trillion, with the average borrower owing $33,000 by graduation. The number of Purdue students graduating debt-free was 59% in 2018-2019, compared with a national rate of 43%. West Lafayette room and board rates have also not been increased for eight straight years, with board rates being reduced twice for the 2013 through 2015 school years. 

A record number of Purdue students received funding from the Purdue Research Foundation’s Back a Boiler program, which offers students an alternative to private student loans and Federal Parent PLUS. The plan was the first offered by a major U.S. university, and since its inception, $13.8 million has been invested.