<p>Looks like RPI raised tuiton+fees 5% for 2011-12, after a 3.9% increase last year. This rate of tuition increase is higher than general inflation and higher than medical inflation, as has been the case for decades. These tuition increases must be demand-driven, and that boils down to a profit motive. Not that RPI is alone in this.</p>
<p>I attended RPI years ago, did well there, and originally suggested that my 2nd child apply because of his interest in engineering. We can afford it, but, should we? The more I learn the less I think so. Last year somebody from Alumni Relations visited my city, and suggested we could donate more funds to be used for financial aid and thereby make the school more affordable. Wonderful. We can pay coming and going. No thanks.</p>
<p>It's the parents who should know better than to voluntarily pay cartel prices. So I'm telling my kids to keep their grades up and apply to state school honors programs, which are far more selective than they used to be.</p>
<p>Seems to be a “trend” in the making here. The schools over 50k/year may end up in the next 10 years or so in not making their yields. They usually shoot for a 30% yield. </p>
<p>The parents are the “Goose That Lays the Golden Eggs” and the colleges are killing us.</p>
<p>Yes, it is expensive but RPI does give out quite a bit of merit aid, not based on financial need (plus financial aid to those in need). I’m not sure how many pay full price. 10-15K of merit a year is pretty common. I don’t see it is much different than other schools. With merit aid, my kids pay about what they would at an out of state honors program. My daughter had a choice between a highly ranked, competitive state honors program and RPI and RPI fit her career choices much better (dual major tracking). Keep the doors open IMHO.</p>
<p>I got an email from the school confirming that tuition will be higher next year. But they also said that more financial aid would be given (and the rise in financial aid is higher than the rise in tuition).</p>
<p>I suppose the net effect would be higher cost for students not eligible for financial aid and lower cost for the rest of us. When I get my financial package for next year I’ll post about whether and how much the cost of attending changes for me. My financial position has not changed much so from what the president said I’d expect a small decrease in cost.</p>
<p>Is the increase in financial aid higher in an absolute sense or only in terms of percentages? If the latter (which sounds more likely), overall costs can still be going up.</p>
<p>Please post the change in costs-my son will be a freshmen next year-I hope the fees RPI gave us in his award letter are accurate-we do not fall into financial aid so it sounds like our cost would go up-my son had other good options it better not</p>