Tuition Fees

By: Saeed Alyami

Photos: Pixabay

Many sponsored students still think Marymount’s price is a bit above average. Why? Most of them are aware of tuition and had been to colleges before attending Marymount. They contemplate where does all the money go?

“The only thing more expensive than going to college is not going to college.” Anthony P. Carnevale, Director and Research Professor at Georgetown University. 

Tuition fees diverge depending on the type of intended college. However, students end up paying $1,010 per one credit hour at Marymount University. Where at Northern Virginia Community College  (NOVA) students only pay $154.00 for a Virginia resident student and $351.60 for Out-of-State students. Such an enormous difference from $1,010 to $154.00! Marymount is the 18th most expensive four year school in Virginia amongst 41 other colleges. It’s true there are differences between Marymount and NOVA. Yet, students tend to get their associate’s degree from NOVA then transfer to a four-year college to get their bachelor’s, since it’s cheaper. Some consider Marymount University as one of those pricey private schools in Virginia and others say, it’s fair since it’s private. Additionally, the tuition rate at Marymount increases by 5% average annually. Students pay an excessive amount of money to obtain a degree hoping it will open doors for better income. Why hoping for better income? Of course, to repay students loans back. Apparently, students must spend money to make money. 

Despite that, according to a study, holding a degree is worth it and a degree pays off later on. Currently, going to college may have become a priority especially as the world is more demanding plus improvements and advancements in technology. 

“I believe college is worthwhile to attend, pay for, to appreciate, to learn, and to improve mental skill sets. The price of college, however, especially since the 1980’s has skyrocketed. And because of the price, do I feel it is worthwhile for everybody to attend? No, I do not. I made the choice to make it worth my while; we’ll see how it improves my life down the road. For now, it is worth my while, but we’ll see what I, now as a student, can turn the opportunities into financially in the future. Overall, college is worthwhile, but not worth the substantial amount. I understand why finances justify people’s decisions to attend in the first place,” said a Senior student Joe Cabrera.  

“Marymount University is an expensive school where students must pay for every single amenity even for access to technology, and it’s incredibly expensive. I had to study Summer 2017 here on my own expenses and still I couldn’t afford paying $10,000 out of my pocket. Therefore, my sponsors lent me the amount and paid directly to the school. After that summer I’m committed to pay my sponsors $500 every month, which is a lot for me. Moreover, since I’m an international student I couldn’t work off campus and make good money to help me at least make ends meet. And make sure to pay off my debt before graduation. However, I’m fortunate enough to have a scholarship that covers my tuition now. Because, I wouldn’t be able to cover the tuition on my own,” said a Junior transfer student Abdallah Alyami when asked to reflect on tuition fees at Marymount University.

Alyami continued, “Also, to be fair Marymount University has a friendly environment, welcoming community, secure place to attend, and it is known for its diversity which attracts parents and international students. Additionally, as an international student who lives in a host country, it’s important to have friendly staff and faculty to help students comprehend the system quicker too. I can’t complain and I think it’s fair paying this amount based upon its policy, location, type, and I’m glad I picked Marymount in the first place. Because, I’m going to college anyway why not experience it at a good college such as Marymount, especially it is near DC.” “One department I’m mostly fond of is the International Student Services (ISS) contributions to international students and their recognized effort to make internationals welcomed and comfortable. Also, internships and opportunities provided by Career Services and the Saudi Club are inspiring toward optimistic future.”

“I think college is expensive because the market economy says so, not because I believe it should be that expensive. Personally, I go to school to get “an education”, not to become intelligent. The difference in an education versus intelligence, from my point of view, is that an education states I attended and graduated from an educational institution, whereas intelligence I feel I  improved based on what I research on my own time and can figure out myself,” said Joe Cabrera.

One-year tuition fees at Marymount go up to $30,990. Students either prepare their tuition payments through Federal student’s loans, scholarships, or of course out of parent’s pockets. 

“I applied for student’s loans for all of my years at Marymount. There wasn’t a chance I could pay all the money upfront to any educational institution so taking out loans was necessary. When thinking of applying to college, I asked myself, am I really cut out to go to college, or should I learn a specific trade from a trade school? I ended up choosing college with the idea that it’d give me more room to operate for professional purposes. After I graduate from Marymount, I will probably have to repay somewhere in the $60,000 range of student’s loans,” said Cabrera. 

Many sponsored students still think Marymount’s price is a bit above average. Why? Most of them are aware of tuition and had been to colleges before attending Marymount. They contemplate where does all the money go? However, students who choose attending colleges in small towns such as University of Dubuque wind up paying  $32,670 a year. Surprisingly, it’s more expensive than Marymount University, even though Marymount has pros compared to University of Dubuque in terms of location, diversity, and the type of school. They believe it’s expensive too, but it is worth it because they get the chance to join the school football team and get things back in return, like going pro. Furthermore, they can tell the amount spent in many things at the school. For instance, new buildings, free events, football team, bigger gym, hosting events at the school for the community and not to forget their aviation department expenses too. 

Contrary to Marymount, almost everything is old, not enough parking spaces, expensive food, no football team, and high prices. All in all, it’s a demand and supply procedure. The more students the more money, too. Regardless, it’s difficult on students to pay such a large amount on tuition whether at Marymount or elsewhere. But, being able to attend college will eventually pay off.

There are also Veteran students at Marymount and expenses are high on them as well.

 “Even the Military Veterans, who come out of the service have to pay the remainder of the balance at the end of their Spring semesters because the tuition at Marymount is so high. The government has a set price. So even if the Military Veteran has a %100 GI bill it will still not cover the cost of a Marymount Veterans tuition. This makes it difficult on them financially because they are using their basic housing allowance on their bills. Especially, living in DC the cost of living is outrageous. This forces the Veteran to have to work too, and try to find another means to pay the remainder of their tuition,” said a Veteran student who wishes to leave his name out. Still, he thinks paying this amount is fair because it is a “private college.” While on the subject, the 9/11 GI bill offers higher education benefits to Veterans who served post 9/11. Therefore, preparing for college economically is an important component to consider before determining what college. High school students ought to find out what fits the most to their budget before picking a college to attend. Marymount surely has its pros except its annual price increasing rate.

 At any cost, a former Marymount student narrates his story and experience to high school students. It’s as a guide for high school students to get to know Marymount and be exposed to its environment. Nonetheless, most students spoke out on how highly-priced Marymount is and yet they agree on the importance of holding a degree for them.

 Living on campus costs approximately $12,805 per year, besides other living expenses. A total budget for tuition fees at Marymount costs $48,627 including Room and Board, “other fees,” on campus other budget, books and supplies. But many students prefer to live off campus and commute to school since it’s a lot cheaper.

 “I preferred commuting, because you save money. In some cases you can rent a space with some other students and you can get a space with some other students and you can get a place for a cheaper price, I’m a commuter because I don’t live too far from the school and I save money since I don’t have to pay $12,805 that I will be paying if I want to be resident,” said Daniel Sanchez, a Junior student who was asked how he manages accommodation while attending Marymount. 

“I commute to college because of that high-cost payment for the price of education. I realize college is a worthwhile investment, but I felt it was more worthwhile to stick through the process seeing as though it would be the best option especially if I never start a business at any point in my life, college helps with career opportunities, which affords working people the potential to earn more money. I didn’t see a point in paying for on-campus when I can commute, work on the side, and still be a functional student,” said Cabrera.

“I think college is expensive for several reasons, but it is definitely worth it. The expenses are necessary to provide quality resources to students and to properly compensate Professors/school employees,” said Michael Wade, a baseball athlete and student at Marymount University.   

Other students are fortunate to have full scholarships through either their work or government and it covers all their tuition fees, and they don’t have to worry about it. Students may not be aware that Marymount is partnered with the dream us national scholarships. There are different awards and who applies first and has a high GPA will be able to get one if all other requirements are met.