Students React to Tuition Increase, Expressing Frustration and Asking for more Transparency from EU Administration

The entrance to Lehmann Hall, the home of EU’s finance office, among other administrative offices. (Ian Murphy)

Elmhurst University will raise tuition by 2.9% for the 2026-2027 school year, following approval by the Board of Trustees. The decision left many students upset and concerned about their future finances over J-Term, when a university email detailing the increase arrived in inboxes.

EU’s increase is below the national average for tuition increases at private four-year universities, which was 4.0%  according to a 2025 College Board report.

In practical terms, tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year sat at $43,983 while next year’s tuition will be $45,258, resulting in a pre-aid increase of $1,275 for students.

Isabella Gonzalez, a former EU student, transferred out of two private universities due to changes in her FAFSA aid while working toward her bachelor’s degree. After experiencing a significant reduction in funding for the 2026-2027 academic year, she was uncertain whether she could afford to continue at EU. Then, when tuition increased again, she ultimately transferred back to Triton Community College, despite her strong attachment to EU.

“I started wondering, if I already had to pay a little under $4,000, then with the tuition increases it’s probably just [going to] go back to the $6,000 that it was originally per semester, and that’s without even dorming,” said Gonzalez. “So for me, I really had to think about what to do, because I didn’t want to go. I really tried to figure it out and look at scholarships, but I couldn’t really find anything that could help at that point.”

While Gonzalez’s primary reasoning for transferring was due to inconsistencies in her FAFSA aid, she reflected on how raising tuition can have a serious impact on students.

“I feel like you can fall in love with Elmhurst,” Gonzalez said. “I started to get involved with The Leader, I was part of [the Student Government Association], and I had just gotten a position with ALPFA, and then I had to, a week after getting that news, basically submit my resignations for all of the organizations. I feel, for me, [it’s really important to] take into consideration your students’ lives, because you can start creating a whole life there and just have to let it go.”

Gonzalez felt that she received a lot of support from the Office of Admissions when trying to figure out different options on how she could afford Elmhurst, but ultimately, there were not enough scholarships for her to be able to stay.

The email explained that the increase is intended to offset rising operation costs while limiting financial burden on students and families. During the 2025 fiscal year, costs for colleges and universities rose 3.6%.

The email said recent investments included construction of the new Health Sciences Building, expanded student services, supporting students interested in studying abroad, and upgrades to campus athletic, academic, and residential facilities. It noted that EU will increase its investment in student financial aid through their endowment.

Additionally, in a written statement to The Leader, the Office of Business and Finance explained EU was able to avoid additional expenses as energy prices increased while seeking energy efficiencies.

Over J-Term, students expressed confusion as to why tuition had to rise when revenue for the university also increased. Students also felt the announcement lacked transparency and specifics to where their future tuition dollars will be going instead of focusing on past initiatives. Junior Mary Graves shared her thoughts on the reasoning behind the decision.

“I thought it was a little ridiculous. It just got raised [last year] so I thought it was kind of crazy it got raised again,” Graves said. “I think tuition is already really highly priced. I don’t really see the need for it to be raised again.” 

“I don’t really understand why it’s being raised,” Graves added. “I don’t know what the money’s going towards. It doesn’t really seem like it’s benefiting students.”

Sophomore Emily Szara agreed:  “A lot more transparency I think would be better.”

Sophomores Pawan Shrees and Pratik Thapa agreed they wanted more transparency about what the money was going towards. They felt that the tuition increase will greatly impact their finances, especially if it continues to go up.

A common sentiment from students was that tuition should be locked in for currently-enrolled students. Szara understands that tuition needs to go up to adjust for inflation but acknowledges the cost in doing so.

“For being in college, I feel like it shouldn’t necessarily be going up,” said Szara. “I understand that there’s a lot of good things that come from college, but as well as like, if you’re making it more expensive, more people are just going to leave because they’re not going to pay.”

Gonzalez explained how a rise in tuition can be tricky for students when financial situations often fluctuate from each year.

“Things really change depending on financial aid every year, whether it’s personal or through your school. When it comes to prices, personally, I feel like education should be something that’s affordable. It shouldn’t be too expensive,” said Gonzalez. “But I know, obviously, depending on the school and the resources they have to do certain changes. I just wish we would be able to have that guarantee that we’re able to afford to go through the school of our dreams, or like, a school that has the programs and the necessities that we need.”

“I feel like it’s just very draining,” added Gonzalez. “Once we have a guarantee this is how much we need to pay, it should be able to stay like that for our four years, and if they want to raise it, probably for the newer students who are coming in, but I feel like, overall education should be something that is accessible for everybody.”

Shrees and Thapa agreed that tuition should be locked-in once students are enrolled at EU.

Students also shared what they think their tuition money should go towards: certain areas that they feel aren’t being addressed well enough.

Szara said if she had a choice, as a commuter student, she would like the parking lots expanded with the increase in tuition.

Graves also shared her thoughts on what the school would need to do to justify the rise in tuition.

“You can start with the residence halls. I mean, half of them are not air conditioned and I feel like that’s a basic necessity for living,” said Graves. “I’ve heard a lot of complaints about the cafeteria food — I think they’re working to improve that currently, but I just think there’s different amenities that students can benefit more from.”

Junior Isabella Ricci had mixed feelings about the increase. While she feels that students should expect such an increase at a private university, she also wonders what the money will specifically go towards.

“I would also like to know if it’s more so for commuters or with people living on campus, because I know there’s a higher rate of commuters than people living on campus, and we have more people coming in,” Ricci said.