Tuition Rise attributed to Holy Cross's NIL Fund labelled as primary motor
In a recent YouTube video titled "The Truth - A Message About Tuition Increases," College of the Holy Cross President Vincent Rougeau revealed the reasons behind the 5.6% tuition increase for the 2025/26 academic year, setting it at $68,090. The central message of the video is that the tuition increases are a response to the rising costs of delivering quality education and a commitment to expanding financial aid to maintain accessibility.
President Rougeau's message underscores transparency about these increases, assuring families that while the sticker price may rise, the school's enhanced financial aid measures aim to keep education affordable for those who need it most. Holy Cross has expanded its full tuition grant eligibility, increasing the household income threshold from $75,000 to $100,000 for families to receive a full tuition grant, reflecting the college's effort to support families with reasonable assets and address affordability concerns.
The tuition increases are not arbitrary but are tied to the need to sustain academic programs and invest in student success initiatives, similar to broader trends in higher education where institutions adjust tuition to cover growing operational costs and strategic enrollment management challenges. Athletic Director Kit Hughes expressed a desire for a significant improvement in Holy Cross' status as a sports school and criticized the school's focus on academics over athletics.
Hughes suggested instituting a school dress code made up of primarily Holy Cross athletic gear to manufacture interest in the school's sports. The tuition increase, as revealed in the video, is actually to fund improvements in Holy Cross' athletic programs, which is part of a reshaped focus on Holy Cross' athletic programs and reclaiming the school's title as an elite athletic school.
It is worth noting that no new information about the use of the tuition increase funds was provided in the recent interview with President Rougeau. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the school set aside $76.5 million to cover tuition for students. As of the 2025/26 academic year, 65% of the student body will benefit from the school's tuition coverage.
President Rougeau was photographed on campus in Worcester, Massachusetts on November 7, 2024, and had a monthly interview with The Spire on April 9th, 2024. It is unclear if the reason for the tuition increase was addressed in these interviews.
The tuition increase applies to the 2025-2026 academic year. The college has been covering tuition for students from families with annual incomes of less than $75,000 since the 2022-2023 academic year. President Rougeau later sent an email titled "The Truth - A Message About Tuition Increases" with a link to the YouTube video.
The college's alumni have been lagging in donating to the NIL fund, which is a rule change in collegiate athletics that allows college athletes to be paid for their name, image, and likeness. The situation remains to be seen as Holy Cross navigates these changes and seeks to maintain its status as a top-tier educational institution while investing in its athletic programs.
Brendan Grudberg, a student at Holy Cross, shares his thoughts on the tuition increase, stating, "While I understand the need for investment in our athletic programs, I hope the school continues to prioritise academic excellence and financial aid for those who need it most."
As the college moves forward with these changes, it remains to be seen how the tuition increase and the school's focus on athletics will impact the institution and its students.
- President Rougeau revealed that the tuition increase for the 2025/26 academic year, set at $68,090, is a response to the rising costs of delivering quality education and a commitment to expanding financial aid.
- The tuition increases are not arbitrary, but are tied to the need to sustain academic programs, invest in student success initiatives, and cover growing operational costs.
- Athletic Director Kit Hughes critiqued the school's focus on academics over athletics and expressed a desire for a significant improvement in Holy Cross' status as a sports school.
- The tuition increase is to fund improvements in Holy Cross' athletic programs, which is part of a reshaped focus on the school's athletic programs.
- As of the 2025/26 academic year, 65% of the student body will benefit from the school's tuition coverage, with families with annual incomes of less than $75,000 having been covered since the 2022-2023 academic year.
- Holy Cross alumni have been lagging in donating to the NIL fund, a rule change in collegiate athletics that allows college athletes to be paid for their name, image, and likeness, and the situation remains unclear as the school navigates these changes.
