In a 2024 report from the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of in-state yearly tuition across the U.S. is reportedly over $9,000, and the average cost of college total yearly expenses is over $30,000. This includes tuition, fees, books, food, rooming, and the many more expenses college students have to cover.
The cost of being a college student can be incredibly expensive, and it’s important for cities to build an affordable community around their universities. According to the Ramen Index by BrokeScholar, Alexandria, La., is one of the top 25 most affordable college towns in the U.S.
LSUA is one of the many universities located in Alexandria, and Dr. Abbey Bain, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Student Engagement at LSUA, says they work hard to achieve affordability.
Dr Abbey Bain: So, we really promote access. And we want to engage students who may be first-gen in their families. Over 40% of our student population does receive Pell, which is a federal grant for students of a lower socio-economic status, right? A large portion of our student body- this is really going to be transformative for their financial and social mobility after they graduate.
Nationwide, less than 40% of college students receive Pell Grant scholarships, and the average Pell award is over $4,000 each school semester. This aid can be very helpful, but it still leaves plenty of expenses for students. What does LSUA do to contribute to Alexandria’s affordability?
Dr. Bain says LSUA works with the community around them to find workforce needs, scholarship potentials, and more.
Dr. Abbey Bain: You know, the research is very clear. When you have a more educated population all things trend in a positive direction. That’s going to help your local economy. That’s going to help the health of your citizens. That’s going to help the leadership within your community, have, you know, stronger family structures as well. We really take the opportunity to build that relationship with Alexandria.
One example is CENLA Nurses for the Future.
Dr. Abbey Bain: We have a huge need for nurses in our community. I think right now, through all the local hospitals and other health entities there’s, like, 600 openings. And so, we had, like, a health care summit right here on campus with our academic leaders in that college and our community leaders in the hospital and other business leaders like our Chamber of Commerce. And from that meeting, we developed a program called CENLA Nurses for the Future.
CENLA Nurses for the Future works with local businesses to provide assistance to nursing students, whether that be through scholarships or jobs. Dr. Bain says it is more likely for a student who completed their clinicals at a local establishment to get a job in the same city.
Alongside providing outside help and financial aid, Dr. Bain says the university keeps tuition low for students as well.
Dr. Abbey Bain: We really have not increased tuition for a number of years. And that’s great for our students. And if they do receive TOPS, for example, you know, that does cover your tuition and fees here. Whereas other universities that are more expensive, you’re still paying out of pocket. So, that has helped us to leverage–you know, your money goes further at a university like LSUA.
In recent years, the average cost of tuition has only risen in the U.S. While gas, grocery and housing prices rise, LSUA strives to keep affordability steady for students.
Dr. Abbey Bain: And we’ve worked really hard to make sure that experience inside the classroom is meeting students where they are academically, challenging them, setting them up for success.
This is Alaina Atnip with Red River Radio News.