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By SADIE NAKAMURA ’26
Updated 11:50 a.m. EDT, 13 Feb 2026
Why does Houghton University’s (HU) tuition keep increasing? Dale Wright, HU’s Vice President for Finance, identified two main reasons: inflation and rising operational costs. He said most universities across the country raise tuition annually to keep pace with inflation. “Over the last several years, inflation has been rampant,” Wright explained. “Operating costs for universities have increased significantly, particularly in New York, which is one of the most expensive states to operate in.” To keep up with rising business costs, HU increased tuition to remain financially sustainable.
Inflation is a term frequently used in today’s economy, but many people do not fully understand what it means. Assistant Professor of Finance and Economics Jared Pemberton explained inflation as the change in the cost of a “basket of goods” over time. To show how inflation works, economists compare the price of the same products from year to year.
The average college student is unlikely to track inflation through formal economic comparisons. However, if workers notice changes in wages or the cost of living, it is often the result of inflation. “How much was a double cheeseburger this time last year compared to this year? That price increase was primarily due to inflation,” Pemberton said. “Has your wage changed at all? When you’re given a cost-of-living raise this is typically associated with inflation.”
Pemberton also compared current inflation levels to those of past years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption caused inflation to rise to 7-8%, which had a detrimental effect on the economy. Pemberton added, “Right now it sits at about 2-3%, which is typically where economists like to see inflation. I’d say for 2025 in general, inflation has not been that big of a deal.”
HU’s tuition is increasing because of inflation. But how is tuition revenue used? According to Wright, revenue from tuition, housing and meal plans is used to cover the costs of running the institution. Faculty and staff salaries, building maintenance and technology replacement are all costly parts of keeping HU operational. As inflation increases, so do the costs of maintaining campus facilities. Salaries are HU’s largest expense, followed by facility-related costs. Nearly 50% of the university’s revenue is allocated to wages, while about 20% goes toward maintenance, depreciation and other facility costs.
Beyond covering current expenses, tuition revenue also shapes HU’s future endeavors. President Wayne D. Lewis Jr. shared several financial goals for the institution, including increased employee salaries, raising funds for residence hall renovations, adding new faculty and expanding elective offerings. Lewis predicted that tuition will continue to increase each year because of financial priorities, HU’s commitment to an excellent academic experience and the increasing costs of operation.
While administrators focus on institutional priorities and long-term planning, students experience tuition increases on a more personal level. Some say the rising cost has not significantly altered their college experience. Julia Collins ‘26, a history major, reflected on her decision to attend HU as an incoming freshman. “I definitely looked at [HU] for the price,” Collins shared. “It wasn’t the only or primary consideration but it was definitely a perk. I think that today I would still choose to go to Houghton even though the price is accelerating.”
While some students say tuition increases have had little impact on their decision to attend HU, others describe significant financial strain. The rising tuition mattered for Rachel Bedell ‘25. She explained, “I have a lot of student loans. I’m paying for my own college and every year when I get the bill, the stress goes up.” Bedell also reflected on whether she would have returned to the college, saying, “If that had changed last year, I don’t know if I would have gone back to HU. It would have been a hard decision to finish here.”
Like many college students, Bedell said that student loans remained a constant concern. “It’s just this thing that exists in the back of my mind and I kind of hate it,” she declared. Bedell’s experience reflects the challenges many students face with their finances as tuition continues to rise.Lewis recognized the financial strain of rising tuition and assured students that the university will continue to help those in need. “Even as the cost of providing an academically excellent education increases, we remain committed to providing scholarships and grants that make it possible for students from economically challenging backgrounds to still be able to come to Houghton,” he said. “That’s a long-standing commitment for us and that won’t change.” ★
