Western Illinois University hopes a decrease in tuition rates will increase its enrollment numbers.
The three-percent tuition decrease goes into effect next fall. It’s only for new students.
In addition, western will no longer charge out-of-state students a higher tuition than in-state students.
Western Budget Director Matt Bierman says the University hopes to make a splash.
"...And market this as a campaign that we hear the plight of the middle class and that we are here to help you and we are doing what we can to make sure that college and higher education is affordable to our students," Bierman said.
The lower tuition rates will impact western’s bottom line.
Bierman estimates it will cost the school between $500,000 and $750,000. But he says Western needs to try something different after several years of declining enrollment.
