Lasell University today announced plans to reduce tuition and room and board costs to bring greater transparency to its pricing and make a Lasell undergraduate education accessible to a broader group of students.

At its recent meeting, our Board of Trustees approved the rate of $26,000 for tuition and $13,500 for standard room and board, making Lasell housing and meal plan rate among the lowest in the Boston area and in all of New England. This reduction in price better reflects the actual out of pocket costs that the majority of current Lasell students pay after scholarships are factored in.

For the 2023-2024 academic year, the combined tuition and standard room and board price will decrease from $59,130 to $39,500, a 33% reduction from the 2022-2023 published rate.

According to research conducted by Sallie Mae, 60% of high school students won’t consider a college or university— even if it meets individual academic, geographic, and social criteria— if the published price is deemed beyond their means. These decisions are often reached without a real understanding of the scholarships and generous financial aid packages that school’s like Lasell offer, financial support that can make the cost of attendance more accessible.

“By aligning the published price more closely with the actual out-of-pocket cost that most students pay, and presenting information in a clear, concise, and easy to understand way, we believe the price reduction will expand, further diversify, and enrich the school’s vibrant community,” said Lasell President Michael B. Alexander.

Under this new pricing structure, no Lasell student will pay more than $39,500 in out-of-pocket costs during the 2023-2024 academic year for tuition, fees, and standard room and board. Commuting students will pay no more than $26,000 in tuition, and financial aid packages for current students will be adjusted to reflect the new tuition rate.

“Lasell offers students a robust curriculum, exceptional faculty with real-world experience in their fields of study, small class sizes, and a personalized educational experience,” Alexander added. “For many students, the college application process can be overwhelming. This new approach to pricing will mitigate ‘sticker shock,’ and help students and families make informed financial and academic decisions.”

The cost of a college education has been on the rise, in Massachusetts and across the country. According to National Center for Education Statistics data, inflation coupled with drastic cuts in government aid is forcing institutions to increase tuition and fees as well as room and board to keep pace with increasing costs.

In recent years, the University has implemented a number of measures to lower costs without affecting the quality of a Lasell education or diminishing the campus experience. These efforts include the launch of the Lower Cost Models for Independent Colleges consortium (LCMC.) Founded by Alexander, the more than 135 participating LCMC schools are working collaboratively to reduce the cost of private colleges. In addition, Lasell has forged partnerships with area colleges with an emphasis on sharing resources and facilities and enhancing purchasing power.

“We are proud of Lasell’s small class sizes, the faculty mentors available to every student, our Connected Learning educational philosophy, the 17 varsity athletic teams, and all of the countless other benefits that our community offers,” said Alexander. “This new approach will help to demystify the real cost of attendance and open the door for even more students to experience all that the Lasell community has to offer.”