| Private colleges and universities are known for small | | | | private college and university students in Wisconsin, |
| class sizes where students receive individual attention. | | | | after financial aid including loans was considered, was |
| These same institutions tend to offer frequent | | | | $4,737, a web site for the Wisconsin Association of |
| opportunities for involvement, more study abroad | | | | Independent Colleges and Universities shows. Student |
| opportunities and boast higher graduation and retention | | | | loans do have to be repaid, but 71 percent of the |
| rates, according to the Wisconsin Association of | | | | $18,478 average freshman financial aid package came |
| Independent Colleges and Universities. Many also | | | | in the form of grants that do not, the Wisconsin |
| associate a private education with pricey tuition. | | | | association reported. |
| While tuition and associated school fees at private | | | | Students and families can check the website for the |
| colleges and universities are often higher than those at | | | | National Association of Independent Colleges and |
| public institutions, scholarships and grants can greatly | | | | Universities for a list of private institutions that have |
| offset the cost. In fact, financial aid has been increasing | | | | kept their tuition rates the same as last year. These |
| and accelerating at private institutions, Bloomberg | | | | colleges include the AIB College of Business in Iowa, |
| Businesweek recently reported. Scholarships, grants | | | | Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, Fresno Pacific |
| and other forms of financial aid at private colleges and | | | | University in California and The Sage Colleges in New |
| universities between this coming fall semester and the | | | | York State, according to the site. In Ohio, Ursuline |
| fall of 2009 increased by 6.8 percent as compared | | | | College and the University of Akron have launched |
| with tuition and fees, which rose by 4.5 percent, | | | | three-year bachelor's degree programs, the national |
| according to a June report from the National | | | | association site shows. |
| Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. | | | | Students might also consider saving money that might |
| Private institutions aren't only slowing tuition hikes and | | | | otherwise be spent on commuting and meal plans, |
| enhancing scholarships for campus and distance | | | | since many private colleges according to a June 2010 |
| learning programs. In some instances, they're freezing | | | | report in USA Today have added or are planning to |
| tuition and offering three-year degree programs, | | | | add distance learning options. Some private institutions |
| National Association of Independent Colleges and | | | | have seen substantial enrollment increases as a result |
| Universities President David L. Warren was quoted in a | | | | of new online learning opportunities, the report noted. |
| news release as saying. "Our colleges are redoubling | | | | The USA Today article focused on Christian institutions |
| their efforts to keep out of pocket costs as low as | | | | that an Eduventures consulting group analyst told the |
| possible for students and families...," National | | | | reporter have an advantage in the strongly religious |
| Association of Independent Colleges and Universities | | | | United States and a crowded online learning market. |
| President David L. Warren was quoted in a news | | | | Online college programs themselves offer opportunities |
| release as saying. "The bottom line for consumers is | | | | to schedule studies between the demands of work |
| that they should not rule out a private college just | | | | and family. Some distance learning programs are |
| because of the price tag." | | | | entirely online, while others combine time on campus |
| The average published tuition and fee at private | | | | with time online. Scholarships and grants for campus |
| colleges and universities throughout the country is | | | | and distance learning programs might be based on |
| about $26,273, an amount that after financial aid and | | | | financial needs or on instances where students have |
| federal tax benefits came to $11,870, information from | | | | demonstrated academic success, community |
| the College Board shows. Even for the 2008-2009 | | | | involvement, leadership abilities and more. |
| academic year, the average net tuition charge for | | | | |