The Huntington University Board of Trustees approved a 2.5 percent increase in undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2012-13 school year at its January meeting.

The undergraduate tuition rate for the 2012-13 school year will be $23,300, with an additional $480 in fees and $7,940 for room and board costs.

According to College Board figures, the average tuition rate for a private college education in 2011 was $28,500.

The board also approved increases of $8 to $11 per credit hour for its adult and graduate programs.

The new tuition rate per credit hour will be $348 for all Excel Adult Degree programs, $466 for the graduate counseling program, $376 for the graduate youth ministry leadership program and $395 for the graduate education program.

"Huntington works diligently to moderate any increases in tuition and fees. We want to keep college affordable for students and their families," says Tom Ayers, executive vice president for operations and treasurer.
"We also offer innovative financial assistance programs, such as the loan repayment program, to help reduce anxiety among students and their families over costs when considering a private school education. We understand the financial pressures families are under and want to provide them with more value for their dollar."

Approximately 90 percent of Huntington University students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans or work-study assistance.
All incoming freshmen are also eligible for the loan repayment program, which provides assistance to students after they graduate. The loan repayment program covers all or a portion of a student's loan up to a certain threshold.

For more information, visit www.huntington.edu/loans.