Downturn means more St. Peter's College students can't pay tuition

Downturn means more St. Peter's College students can't pay tuition

by Bob Braun/Star-Ledger Columnist
Sunday February 15, 2009, 9:37 PM





It simply doesn't happen to more than 100 students.




But not this year.


Jobs lost. Foreclosure. Loss of other assets.



This is far from just a St. Peter's problem.


"Independent institutions are especially vulnerable to economic downturns."












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COMMENTS (2)Post a comment
Posted by doctorphil1 on 02/16/09 at 10:59AM

Where is the money going?

It is not going to the vast majority of people who are actually TEACHING! As a way keeping teaching cost extremely low, St. Peter's hires an army of adjuncts on a course basis. So for about $2000/course (no benefits) they have someone teaching a course that should be taught by a full time, regular faculty member. Thus, having four adjuncts teaching each semester ($8000) for one academic year ($16000) instead of a full timer ($50,000+ with benefits) save St. Peter's a ton of money. Which leads to two questions?

1. With the heavy use of part-time faculty, why is tuition sky-high?

2. Are the students getting the same quality education that they thought they were paying for?

Posted by jiggy10023 on 02/17/09 at 11:07AM

Several of the private colleges in NJ are more affordable than our state universities. Saint Peter's awards more than $22 million in scholarships and grants (that's $2 million more than Drew, the most expensive school in the state). Many privates are working hard to minimize any tuition increases. The state universities are likely looking at double digit increases this year alone. Schools like Saint Peter's, Felician, Rider and others provide a great value, dollar for dollar, as compared to large schools like our state university. The ability to graduate in four years, small classes, abundant internship opportunities, personal attention . . . the state institutions can't afford to provide all of this to every NJ student who wants a college education. They just don't have the capacity. The details from the story above are an example of the kind of 'dedication to individuals' that a place like Saint Peter's can provide. The President of the school personally looking into how to assist students who are in financial trouble? Is that happening at large state universities? Times are tough, we all have to work together in situations like these, and it looks like they are doing that at Saint Peter's.