By Gionna Bean, Opinion Editor
Aquinas’ Board Room, where many financial decisions are made – Photo by Gionna Bean
Just as hot air rises, so do tuition prices it seems. On Fri. Feb 6, Aquinas College announced in an email the new tuition rates for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The email informed students that beginning Fall semester 2026, tuition for those enrolled in 12-20 credits will be $21,420, compared to the $20,596 that students pay currently.
This is an increase of 4.0% ($824 per semester), down from the 4.5% ($887 per semester) that it increased by from 2024-25 to 2025-26 ($19,709 to $20,596) and 2023-24 to 2024-25 ($18,860 to $19,709)
Although tuition prices have not stayed the same or decreased, the rate of incline looks to be wearing down. This could bode well for many students and their families that support them.
“I’m pleased knowing that I won’t have to cover as many extra costs and fees based on how many credits I’m taking,” junior Annabelle Wilder said. “It has relieved me and my family from some extra payments so that we can put those towards different priorities.”
Other students are still stuck on the fact that the prices are still increasing.
“I’m surprised that they tend to go up every year. Although I get that Aquinas is a business,” freshman Joel Warren said. “The most important thing is that the staff gets paid fairly, everything after that is less important.”
Indeed, tuition is necessary to keep the school running. Staff, especially those who run food and room services, rely on this money to get paid. Without it, the college would not function.
Too high of a tuition will only discourage students from attending though, so the slow decline in the rate of tuition is a good predictor for the future.
Grace Hauenstein Library – Photo by Gionna Bean
The Saint 