US Dept of Ed Report Again Names TAMIU Among Nation’s Lowest-Priced Universities

The US Department of Education has released its latest College Affordability and Transparency information and Laredo's Texas A&M International University is once again among the nation’s top lowest net-priced public, four-year or above universities.

Of 65 institutions in the public, four-year or above universities category, TAMIU was 10th in the nation with a net price of $2,279 per semester. The national average is $10,863.

TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck said the repeat finding reaffirms the University’s commitment to making higher education affordable and accessible.

“Just as in the 2011 report, despite the challenges of our economy and reduced State funding, we maintain our commitment to our students to provide an excellent education at an affordable and accessible price,” Dr. Keck said.

According to the NCES, the average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required frees (lower or in-district or in-State, where applicable), books and supplies and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.

Average net price is for full-time beginning undergraduate students who received grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments or the institution itself.

The 2013 listing is compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), part of the U.S. Department of Education, using the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

Started in 2011 as a requirement of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the listing is part of an ongoing effort to provide students and their families with information critical to college destination decision-making.

This is the second time TAMIU has figured prominently in the listing.  In the 2011 listing, TAMIU ranked 23rd with a net price of $4,594 against the then national average of $10,747.  The 2011 ranking helped propel TAMIU onto CNN Money.com’s “10 Most Affordable Colleges”  List.

IPEDS’ interrelated surveys are conducted yearly and gather information from all US and other jurisdiction colleges, universities, and technical and vocational institutions participating in federal student financial aid programs.

Congress, federal agencies, state governments, education providers, professional associations, private businesses, media, students and parents rely upon the data collected. At the federal and state level, IPEDS data provides the foundation for policy analysis and development. At the institutional level it drives benchmarking and peer analysis.

To view listings for colleges and universities with highest and lowest tuition rates, go to http://collegecost.ed.gov/catc/Default.aspx

Summer Session II begins Monday, July 15. Registration for Fall is now underway at TAMIU. Fall classes start Wednesday, Aug. 28.

For more information on Fall registration, contact the Office of the University Registrar at registrar@tamiu.edu or call 326.2250.

TAMIU is also available on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @txamiu.

University summer office hours are from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and from 8 a.m. – noon on Fridays.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu