A Costly College? How Tuition Increases Are Keeping Students Away From Centenary

It's August, and that means back-to-school season is in full swing. For students at Centenary, summer classes have just wrapped up and the 2025-2026 academic year will officially begin in a week's time. Traditionally, this is a time filled with excitement and anticipation—a fresh start, new opportunities, and the promise of a brighter future, especially for those stepping into their first year of college.

But for many students and their families, this year's return is overshadowed by a stark reality: the rising cost of attending college. An email sent to students at the end of the 2024-2025 school year announced tuition increases to $43,450, including fees. On the Northside, double rooms now average around $8,000, and the full meal plan costs $7,200. These figures mark a 4.7% increase in tuition and a 3% rise in room and board from the previous academic year—a seemingly modest bump on paper, but one that carries significant weight as the school year starts.

Though the college has seen an increase in the number of students attending over the course of the last few years, the graduation rates tell a more complex story. Despite initial enrollment, the number of students completing their degrees is declining. According to the retention rates posted by Centenary College’s Student Achievement page in 2023, the fall retention rate was about 70%, which surprisingly rose to 87% in the spring. However, this figure is based on a cohort of only 255 students—the initial class—which raises questions about the school's recruitment strategies and student success. Why recruit so many students if nearly 20% are leaving within a semester? Could financial barriers be a contributing factor?

The implications are profound. When college becomes a luxury rather than an accessible stepping stone, we risk losing a generation of talented individuals who could contribute meaningfully to society but are deterred by the crushing weight of debt or the fear of financial strain. Moreover, institutions like Centenary must grapple with the challenge of maintaining diversity, inclusion, and opportunity when costs soar. According to the latest statistics from the Centenary landing page, approximately 42% of students identify as minorities. While this indicates some level of diversity, it prompts further questions: Are these students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds? And are they able to afford the rising costs without undue hardship? The reality is that rising tuition may disproportionately impact students from lower-income families, effectively narrowing the pipeline of opportunity and the types of faces you see on campus.

However, to be nuanced, one must admit this trend of rising college costs is not unique to Centenary; it is a nationwide issue. Across the United States, tuition and related expenses have been climbing relentlessly for decades. Over the past 20 years college costs have outpaced inflation and wage growth by an astonishing 180%, according to April 2025 data from SoFi. This disparity has created a financial barrier that many prospective students simply cannot overcome. For low- and middle-income families, the dream of a college education is increasingly out of reach leading to a decrease in enrollment and, ultimately, a widening of the socio-economic divide.

An anonymous student, when asked to share their experience, told the Conglomerate that they initially came to Centenary to play a sport during their freshman year. However, even with the addition of student aid, the 4% increase in tuition and associated costs was just enough that they will no longer be returning. Their story is not unique—financial strain often forces capable students to reconsider their educational paths. Another student shared that they had to take a semester off to work because they couldn’t afford the rising costs for the upcoming year, a pause that eventually had long-term repercussions on their academic trajectory as they will not be completing their degree.

So, what can be done?

As a private institution, it is understood Centenary has some control over its policies but, there are many unknown constraints to the student population in the understanding of college finances. The college has already eliminated its most valued scholarship—covering room and board costs for students living within a certain zip code—though those who received it previously are able to keep it. New students, especially out-of-state students, now face paying $7,000 more in room and board costs, which could further deter prospective applicants looking for a unique liberal arts education. 

If colleges like Centenary are to remain accessible and truly serve their mission of fostering opportunity, immediate steps must be taken to curb the tide of rising costs. This could include implementing more transparent financial aid policies, expanding scholarship programs targeted at low-income students, and exploring innovative cost-saving measures that do not compromise educational quality. 

Higher education is the gateway to economic mobility, civic engagement, and personal growth. When the cost barrier becomes insurmountable, we risk sacrificing the diversity, talent, and potential of future generations. It is obligatory, in my opinion, for college leaders, policymakers, and communities to prioritize affordability and equity—because a college education should not be a privilege reserved for the few, but a right accessible to all wanting to learn.