Tuition has risen 6 percent for this year, and at first, I was a little upset.
I didn’t really understand the need behind the tuition increase. However, after doing some digging, I found some answers that I hadn’t necessarily expected to find.
UTM’s tuition is among the lowest in the state and area. Compared to similar schools, especially when food and housing costs are added, UTM currently has the lowest total cost in the state. Even with the 6 percent increase, UTM’s tuition is still, on average, in the middle of tuition costs for all four-year colleges in Tennessee.
One of UTM’s administrators told me that part of the increase is going to be set aside for a faculty compensation plan. This money will go toward increasing UTM staff and faculty’s salaries.
The compensation plan is being put in place to help match UTM’s faculty with other schools. Increasing faculty salaries is something that will essentially allow the university to bring in and keep quality professors and staff.
While I’m grateful that UTM wants to keep the good professors that we all like, the university was unable to hire any additional faculty this year with the increase. They were able to fill the vacancies, but did not hire any additional faculty members. I understand there are many people who want this university to grow and make it better, but without new faculty and new input, I don’t see how that is possible. At some point, new faculty positions have to be created to cover the high number of enrollment that UTM has.
Of course, any increase in tuition is difficult for students. However, if the quality of education received from UTM continues to increase, then I’m fine paying a little bit more for that education.
