Here’s why Penn State’s board of trustees OK’d an increase in room and board rates for 2022-2023
After limited pushback, Penn State’s board of trustees approved a 3.5% increase Friday in the university’s benchmark room and board rate for the 2022-2023 academic year. The hike amounts to an extra $212 per semester.
Based on a standard double room and the mid-level meal plan, the total cost for room and board for the next academic year is now $6,291 per semester. (The meal plan will cost $2,604 — an extra $88 per semester — while the room will cost $3,687, or an extra $124 per semester.)
The increase passed by a vote of 27-3. Those opposed include alumni trustees Alvin de Levie, Anthony Lubrano and Jay Paterno.
During a committee meeting Thursday, when the increase was first publicly discussed, one university official characterized the increase as necessary, given rising food costs and increased payroll. Committee chair Mary Lee Schneider agreed.
“Inflation right now is 7.5% if you look at the data over the last 12 months, and the obvious question is, should we be looking at bigger increases?” she said. “And I think we’re very glad that we can dig deep and maintain a 3.5% increase as opposed to a 7.5% increase.”
Based on last year’s room and board rate, Penn State ranks around the middle of the pack in the Big Ten when it comes to costs. Although Big Ten schools haven’t yet collectively updated the 2022-2023 costs, it’s likely that Penn State will again remain just under the conference average.
Penn State last increased its room and board rate last year at a 3.45% clip.
There is some help available for those who can’t afford on-campus housing. Penn State recently started the LiveOn Student Success Grant program, which covers about 25% of room and board costs for eligible need-based students at University Park and eight commonwealth campuses. (About 231 students were awarded LiveOn grants for this academic year, and an additional 554 grants are projected to be available for the next academic year.)
Penn State’s Housing & Food Services is self-supported without state grants or tuition dollars, with all funding coming from students and guests for food and housing.
Full 2022-2023 housing rates for University Park, from a single room at Atherton Hall to a quad room (with bath) at Wolf Hall, can be found at liveon.psu.edu/rates.
