By Jennifer Larson, contributor
Thinking about going to nursing school or going back for a BSN, MSN or doctoral degree? Then you might want to brace yourself for the tuition bill.
Just like everything else, the cost of higher education tends to increase over time, although increases can also be cyclical. According to the 2008 Trends in College Pricing report from the College Board, published tuition and fees have risen at an average rate of 2.4 percent per year after inflation at private four-year colleges over the past decade. Over the same period, public four-year institutions have shown an average increase of 4.2 percent per year in their published tuition and fees.
The current recession has made the situation worse in some cases. Some states are so strapped for funds as a result of the recession that they’re increasing the price of tuition at their state schools this year.
“State budgets have a lot of pressure,” said Patricia Steele, education policy analyst at the College Board, a non-profit association representing more than 5,400 schools. “They trickle down to have a real impact on higher education.”
The cost of tuition will increase by about 5 percent at Michigan State University this year, said Jill Vondrasek, communications manager for Michigan State University’s College of Nursing.
These two schools represent a number of public institutions that are having to raise prices.
So if you are dreaming of going back to school, school officials point out that it is time to start setting some money aside and start researching the numerous sources of funding available. While you may have to shoulder some of the debt by taking on loans, there are a variety of scholarships and grants that can help ease the burden.
“It is worth it,” said Karla Chapman, senior director for administration and student affairs for the school of nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. “You are investing in yourself, and you are investing in your profession for the future.”
Vondrasek agreed that she would not discourage potential students from pursuing a nursing education. “It is the type of career that is needed locally, nationally and globally,” she said.
Steele also pointed out that students shouldn’t automatically be afraid of a tuition hike. A recent College Board report found that public four-year schools recorded a 6.4 increase in tuition last year for in-state students, but the increase only represented an extra $394. However, private four-year institutions logged a 5.9 percent increase, which represented a $1,400 hike.
Most nursing schools want to help qualified students enroll, so a student shouldn’t automatically rule out a school because the price tag seems out of reach at first.
For example, the cost of a year at the University of Pennsylvania―$38,970 for the 2009-2010 school year—may seem daunting at first glance. But Carol Ladden, assistant dean for admissions and financial aid at the university’s school of nursing, said that there are numerous resources that can help students pay for their education.
“Our goal is to make Penn affordable,” said Ladden. “If you are a qualified student, we will do our best to make it happen for you.”
Texas Tech’s Chapman agreed. “We will help those students find a way to (make it) work,” she said.
Nursing tuition may be going up, but in some schools, enrollment is increasing, too. Michigan State University expanded its enrollment by 110 percent from 2003 to 2007, Vondrasek reported. The move was made in response to the ongoing nursing and nurse faculty shortage; part of the expansion included the addition of an accelerated program for students who already had a bachelor’s degree but wanted to become a nurse. The school also added a CRNA program in 2007.
Penn’s enrollment of nursing students is projected to increase by 10 percent this coming year, said Ladden. The university’s school of nursing has about 1,000 students across all its programs, with over 500 in the undergrad programs. Texas Tech’s school of nursing expects to have 863 students this year, which is a 5 percent increase over the projected enrollment of 821.
What should prospective students consider before enrolling?
They should consider the amount of debt they are willing or able to take on, Steele said. They should educate themselves on the cost of their education, the possible avenues that would allow them to pay for it and what alternatives might exist.
“Look at the bargain options nearby,” she suggested, noting that community colleges and some public four-year institutions are more likely to be affordable in many situations. A student could even complete a few semesters at one of those schools and then transfer to a different school to finish a degree.
Prospective students should fill out the FAFSA, or free application for federal student aid, because it could net them some funding or assistance they would otherwise not receive. They should also contact their future school’s financial aid department and look into private scholarship programs. Also, many hospitals are offering scholarships and grants to nurses who are willing to work for them upon completion of their education.
Once a student makes the commitment to go to school and find a way to pay for it, he or she should be prepared to work hard. Steele said the worst possible outcome would be for a student to take on debt and then not finish the degree.
But there are people out there who want to help, noted Chapman. She said she tells students to contact her office if they run into an emergency and need help.
Michigan State’s Vondrasek said that students will find that the relationships they build as nursing students may pay off in other ways, too.
“My greatest piece of advice would be for each student to build dynamic relationships within the college and use the resources that are available to them, from faculty to student services, fellow classmates and nursing groups, to the alumni association,” she said. “You never know the impact a personal relationship can have in unlocking future opportunities.”
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