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University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. announced that it would cancel all in-person undergraduate learning starting on Aug. 19 . But the university is not offering any tuition discount.
Gerry Broome/Associated Press
Many universities spent months consulting with health experts on how to ensure a safe return to campus this fall in the middle of a global pandemic. Some even purchased coronavirus “starter packs” for students equipped with university-branded masks, and even set aside special quarantine quarters for students that contract the virus.
But all that planning went out the window at some schools when clusters of coronavirus cases broke out within days of students returning to campus, forcing the schools to make a U-turn and revert to online instruction.
Back in March when colleges shifted to online learning, many, including Harvard University, continued to charge full tuition, and some students later filed lawsuits seeking refunds. Now colleges that shift to online instruction are struggling to justify their sometimes-hefty tuitions and other fees. They are under immense pressure to lower their tuitions, but few have done so.
Some schools, including those with significant endowments, have even raised tuition this year.
Notre Dame University switched to remote learning for two weeks after large outbreaks were reported. It reverted back to in-person instruction on Sept. 2. “We anticipate delivery of instruction in-person for the balance of the semester,” Paul Browne, a university spokesman, told MarketWatch. He said that it is “unknown” whether the school would give students a discount on tuition if it switches permanently to remote learning.
Temple University is taking a similar course of action and is halting in-person instruction for two weeks beginning the week of Aug. 31. The university has not announced any changes to tuition.
Here are some of the schools that are offering tuition breaks after shifting to online instruction
Northwestern University: Northwestern announced on Aug. 28 that first and second-year students “will not be allowed on campus” and “will begin the academic year on a remote-only basis.”
University president Morton Schapiro apologized to students for the sudden reversal, made nine days before students were due on campus, according to the Chicago Tribune. “I apologize for people who are so angry, and I understand that anger as a parent and as an educator,” Schapiro said. “In retrospect, I probably should have decided earlier in the week.”
Students will get a financial break. “As a result of the evolving nature of that decision and the financial impact on families, tuition is being reduced 10% for all undergraduates for the Fall Quarter,” Jon Yates, a university spokesman, told MarketWatch. The school increased its annual price to about $58,000 in June, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Georgetown University: Georgetown announced on July 21 that the majority of students would not be invited back for in-person instruction. Those students will receive a 10% reduction in tuition.
Williams College: In June, the college announced that it would be pursuing a plan to offer a hybrid of remote and in-person learning, and as of late August, it was sticking with that model. “In recognition of the extraordinary circumstances and of this academic year and the uncertainty we face in the year ahead, the total cost of attendance has been reduced by 15%,” a notice on the school’s site states.
Princeton University: In July, Princeton announced that only freshman and juniors would be allowed to attend in-person classes in the fall semester and that all students would receive a 10% tuition discount. In early August, the school announced that all classes will be taught remotely.
American University: The school announced a 10% tuition reduction in late July when the university informed students that the semester would be taught remotely.
Johns Hopkins University: In early August, Johns Hopkins announced a 10% tuition reduction after informing students that classes would be taught remotely.
Colleges that aren’t offering tuition breaks
North Carolina State University: Shortly after students returned to campus, multiple clusters — which the North Carolina Health Department defines as “five or more cases that are deemed close proximity or location” — were reported. As a result, the university announced on Aug. 20 that the remainder of the semester would be taught remotely. There have been no changes to tuition. The university declined to comment.
La Salle University: The school announced it would be shifting to remote learning on Aug. 20 but did not indicate whether there would be any tuition change for undergraduate students. The university did not respond to MarketWatch’s request for a comment.
Drexel University: The school announced that it would be shifting to remote learning for undergraduate students on Aug. 19. A limited number of graduate programs will be taught partially in-person. The university is not implementing a tuition hike which was set to take effect for the fall 2020 term.
Ithaca College: The college announced on Aug. 18 that it would not be welcoming students back to campus. Tuition for full-time undergraduate students is not being discounted. However the college is allowing students to take “three undergraduate credits in winter or summer term 2021 for no additional charge,” David Maley, a spokesman for the college, told MarketWatch.
Michigan State University: MSU abandoned its plans to offer in-person instruction, the university announced on Aug. 18. ” The value of a Michigan State education is significant and the format of instruction does not reduce that value,” Dan Olsen, a university spokesman, told MarketWatch. “For these reasons, MSU is not offering a tuition discount at this time.”
University of North Carolina: After more than 150 students tested positive for coronavirus within the first week of class, the university announced on Aug. 16 that it would switch undergraduate classes to remote instruction and reduce density in the residence halls.
“Tuition and fees are determined by the UNC System Board of Governors, which has determined that the current tuition and fee structure for the fall semester will remain in place for the 2020-21 academic year regardless of any changes in instructional format,” a university spokesperson told MarketWatch.
