Pitt retains students despite tuition increases

A drop in tuition at nearby private universities has led to increasing enrollment patterns, whereas state-owned universities are hiking tuition prices while experiencing smaller enrollments.

In 2011, the average tuition discount, which is institutional grant dollars as a share of gross tuition and fee revenue, for freshmen at private universities was 42.8 percent, according to the most recent study by the National Association of College and University Business Officers. The study also reported that the average markdown in tuition prices at private universities for all undergraduate students was 37.2 percent.

Duquesne University, a private Catholic college Downtown, has a base tuition fee of $28,913. 

This year, Duquesne accepted a freshman class of 1,520 students — the largest class in the university’s 134-year history, according to the university’s website. However, public university Clarion, whose tuition is $9,454, has reached its fourth year of decreasing freshman enrollment, according to the University’s enrollment statistics, which is available through Pitt’s website..

In the 2008 fall semester, Pitt’s full-time equivalent enrollment was 24,933 students, according to the University Fact Book. Full-time equivalent enrollment increased by 6.22 percent to 26,484 students in fall of 2012. Enrollment figures saw a steady increase over the course of those five years.

In 2008, in-state residents paid $12,832 in tuition per year, while out-of-state residents paid $22,480. Last fall, tuition was $15,730 for in-state residents, while out-of-state residents paid $25,420.

Enrollment information is not yet available for fall 2013, according to Pitt spokesman John Fedele.

“Despite the slight increase in college tuition over the years, the number of students enrolled at Pitt still continued to rise. This is evidence that students view the University of Pittsburgh as a good value in higher education,” Fedele said.