Setting Tuition at the University of
Saskatchewan
Presented to University Senate
April 25, 2015
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Agenda
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


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
Purpose
Principles
Process
Outcomes
Some common questions
Your comments and questions
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Purpose


This session is intended
primarily to provide
information to Senate on
how tuition is set at the
University of Saskatchewan
We welcome your questions
and comments
http://www.dyslexialincs.co.uk/information-advice/
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1.
2.
3.
3 Tuition Principles – 1.
Comparability
U of S systematically
considers tuition at similar
institutions with similar programs
The median of similar programs is used as a
reference point
Regional competitors are also considered
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Tuition Principles – 2. Affordability
and Accessibility
1.
2.
3.
4.
fees, supplementary course
materials, living expenses and total
student debt load;
direct financial resources available
to students, including financial aid
(scholarships, bursaries, grants,
loans, research funding) and tax
credits;
program demand; and
the potential lifetime earnings of
http://www.opendoorws.com/
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3 Tuition Principles – 3. Quality
1.
2.
If tuition is raised the incremental tuition goes
directly to the college or teaching unit.
Therefore; tuition is one lever colleges have to
maintain and enhance program quality
http://www.genysisgroup.com/quality-by-design/
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The Process of Setting Tuition
1.
2.
Program level systematic background
research of comparator institutions,
including other regional competitors
Wide-ranging consultation
1.
2.
3.
3.
4.
5.
Deans
Students
University Council
Recommendations from Colleges and
Units
Approval by Board of Governors
Communication of outcomes
Summe
r
Autumn
November
Decembe
r
On-going
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Tuition Outcomes

University of
Saskatchewan tuition, on a
program by program
comparison, is at or below
the median of all our
comparator institutions.
https://cadmusreblog.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/the-importance-of-apples-to-apples-bid-evaluation/
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Typical cost of
arts and science
programs (tuition
and fees) for
domestic
students at
Canadian U15
institutions for
the 2014/15
academic year.
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Some Common Questions
1.
2.
3.
Why do Statistics Canada Reports (and any
reports drawing on StatsCan data) say
Saskatchewan has one of the highest average
tuition rates?
What proportion of our revenues come from
tuition?
How much did tuition go up this year?
http://en.hdyo.org/tee/questions
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Statistics Canada
methodology
1.
2.
3.
Average tuition is weighted by the
number of students in each program
Tuition and fees reported separately
Average of all universities in each
province
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Why using Weighted Tuition
Matters
University ‘B’
University ‘A’

Program Y: 5,000
students
a)


Tuition $5, 000
University A’s average
tuition is $5, 000
Program Y: 5,000
students
a)

Program X: 5,000
students
a)

Tuition $5,000
Tuition $10, 000
University B’s average
tuition is $7,500
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Why using Weighted Tuition Matters (Next
Year)
University ‘B’
University ‘A’

Program Y: 5000 students
a)


a)
Tuition $5, 000
University A’s average
tuition is $5, 000



Tuition $5,000
Program X: 7,500 students
a)

http://www.churchesaid.com/devotional.asp?id=302
Program Y: 2,500 students
Tuition $10, 000
University B’s average tuition
is now $8,750
StatsCanada would report
that average tuition rose 17%
Note that actual tuition is
unchanged and tuition for
program Y is identical
between the two Universities
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Why using Weighted Tuition Matters

University of Saskatchewan’s student profile is
weighted more heavily to professional (i.e. higher
tuition) programs
http://www.pbase.com/lcurran/image/33911979
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Tuition as Proportion of Revenue
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15/16 Tuition Changes
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Most programs fall between 2% and 3% increase.
The full range of increases were 0% to 5%
The average increase is approximately 2.5%
http://www.edwards.usask.ca/aboutus/uofs.aspx
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Thank you!
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