University of Louisiana Rated Most Affordable in State

[CajunRed]

Other than if a specific major is being pursued and is only offered at certain schools, most kids choose a university based on where their parents went...or which athletic programs they grew up following. At least that is what I did, my wife did, my kids did...all of our friends did...and most of my kids' friends did. I suspect that when my grandkids are of college age, they will attend UL because they've been coming with me to football, basketball, baseball and softball since they were 6 months old. They are Ragin Cajuns. Where else would they go?

[Just1More]

I suppose our charter has always been heavily weighted on affordability. But, aren't most of the other programs in this state and even in our region for that matter? Why does UL have "more charity" than others? I realize we are simply "more affordable", but an appropriate question to ask T-Joe would be... are we inferior? Do we have to provide a cut rate in order to compete? Are our professors from the bottom rung? Is our administration from the bottom end of the administrative pool?

Our tuition ought to be in line with how we percieve our product. If our administration thinks that we are inferior then I can accept that we must offer a bargain price in order to operate. I don't think tution is where you manage the financial hardship cases. You manage the financial assistance piece of education with financial assistance.

Although there is a noble component to maintaining low tuition, there is also a negative perception component. We are very likely viewed as an inferior university "due to" the low tuition. Do not believe otherwise. Some regional students believe we're "the last option" in many cases... because "if they were a more respectable university, they'd be able to charge a higher tuition".

I think T-Joe and others think by keeping the entire tuition down they're helping some student from their home town...perhaps a young man or young lady similar to them at that time in life... and... isn't it wonderful? No, it isn't. That warm and fuzzy story went out with black and white movies. We should be on par with other universities offering similar educational opportunities. Those that need financial assistance should seek it where financial assistance is provided.

Moreover, it was pretty unimpressive when T-Joe took $1million out of the athletic budget. It was a very unfair hit to those that donate to RCAF. Don't kid yourself. For whatever ground we were making up in adding private money to RCAF, we lost a lot of ground having that $1million taken from our athletic budget.

We needed T-Joe to hit his staff and faculty harder with head count and salary reductions... and have them yell back "Raise tuition ______! I'm tired of observing these ungrateful hormonal little creatures not give a rat's rear end about education pay so little for something that will mean more to them than anything else in their entire lives... all the while they can't wait to go get nasty with their squeeze and get a drunk on." (and if you're an ideal student... and what I said didn't apply... and you don't have the money for a higher tuition... go to work and save up or go get a loan - and "pay it back!"... that is someone else's money!)

We have a huge problem in this country because too many people think everything ought to be either free or at least "cheap". It establishes a whole host of terrible personal principles and expectations... and it is killing us. Why is this epidemic mess not already apparent to everyone?

[CajunFan3406]

I got paid a couple grand a year to go to school at UL. Hope that gives you guys an idea of how affordable tuition is. Being "most affordable" isn't something I'd want to be known for.

[Turbine]

There are only two PR avenues out there that will get a mention.

Lowest Price > Current buzz (good or bad)
Medium price > never a mention anywhere at any point in time.
Highest Price > Wow!!! (forget about it) but wait, do you have a scholarship?

[CajunEXPRESS]

Nothing to disagree with, I didn't opine whether or not more students is the right path to success.

I did say "if your goal is"

My bad read on that comment.

[CajunEXPRESS]

I suppose our charter has always been heavily weighted on affordability. But, aren't most of the other programs in this state and even in our region for that matter? Why does UL have "more charity" than others? I realize we are simply "more affordable", but an appropriate question to ask T-Joe would be... are we inferior? Do we have to provide a cut rate in order to compete? Are our professors from the bottom rung? Is our administration from the bottom end of the administrative pool?

Our tuition ought to be in line with how we percieve our product. If our administration thinks that we are inferior then I can accept that we must offer a bargain price in order to operate. I don't think tution is where you manage the financial hardship cases. You manage the financial assistance piece of education with financial assistance.

Although there is a noble component to maintaining low tuition, there is also a negative perception component. We are very likely viewed as an inferior university "due to" the low tuition. Do not believe otherwise. Some regional students believe we're "the last option" in many cases... because "if they were a more respectable university, they'd be able to charge a higher tuition".

I think T-Joe and others think by keeping the entire tuition down they're helping some student from their home town...perhaps a young man or young lady similar to them at that time in life... and... isn't it wonderful? No, it isn't. That warm and fuzzy story went out with black and white movies. We should be on par with other universities offering similar educational opportunities. Those that need financial assistance should seek it where financial assistance is provided.

Moreover, it was pretty unimpressive when T-Joe took $1million out of the athletic budget. It was a very unfair hit to those that donate to RCAF. Don't kid yourself. For whatever ground we were making up in adding private money to RCAF, we lost a lot of ground having that $1million taken from our athletic budget.

We needed T-Joe to hit his staff and faculty harder with head count and salary reductions... and have them yell back "Raise tuition ______! I'm tired of observing these ungrateful hormonal little creatures not give a rat's rear end about education pay so little for something that will mean more to them than anything else in their entire lives... all the while they can't wait to go get nasty with their squeeze and get a drunk on." (and if you're an ideal student... and what I said didn't apply... and you don't have the money for a higher tuition... go to work and save up or go get a loan - and "pay it back!"... that is someone else's money!)

We have a huge problem in this country because too many people think everything ought to be either free or at least "cheap". It establishes a whole host of terrible personal principles and expectations... and it is killing us. Why is this epidemic mess not already apparent to everyone?

Couple of points here.

No president will ever say his staff is second rate.
Another point is that until this new rule was passed this year presidents had zero ability to raise tuition. That was done by others, and we already commented on one state legislator who refused to allow Authement needed tuition raises. Grandstanding about the poor, bla, bla, bla, while he let Ellis Who raise their fees. What the poor don't deserve a shot at the Flag Sip?

[Just1More]

Couple of points here.

No president will ever say his staff is second rate.
Another point is that until this new rule was passed this year presidents had zero ability to raise tuition. That was done by others, and we already commented on one state legislator who refused to allow Authement needed tuition raises. Grandstanding about the poor, bla, bla, bla, while he let Ellis Who raise their fees. What the poor don't deserve a shot at the Flag Sip?

Those were rhetorical questions.

Our current president embraces the low tuition.

[CRAWFISH61]

Tuition is low because Authement raised fees instead because it was easier. I would be curious to see what our fees are compared to others. I was told this by someone that worked at UL.

[Boomer]

CAN SOMEBODY POST THE TUITION AND FEE COSTS???

[CajunFan3406]

CAN SOMEBODY POST THE TUITION AND FEE COSTS???

Boom, I found this on the Bursar's page. Tuition and fee schedule for Spring 2012:

http://bursar.louisiana.edu/Schedule...Spring2012.htm