On Saturday, May 2, 1998, Wells College joined other institutional leaders who are responding to public concern about the affordability of higher education. After a long and thoughtful process, the Wells College Board of Trustees voted to set the college's tuition and fees at $12,300 beginning in the fall 1999 semester, down from a current $17,540 - a 30% reduction.

Along with this tuition reduction, the college has made a decision to increase our investment in academic program enrichment in the months and years ahead. We know these decisions will make a Wells liberal arts education even more valuable and affordable to students and their families. The college has accelerated its development of new academic ventures, including more experiential learning opportunities, that will prepare students for leadership in the new century.

This innovative action places Wells in a leadership position with Princeton, Yale, and Stanford - top universities that have also recently addressed the problem of educational access through new financial policies.

During the past 20 years, tuition prices have increased twice as fast as the overall cost of living. In the past 15 years, those costs have tripled at some private colleges and universities. We are now in an era when private higher education is no longer perceived as an affordable option by many families.

A report released on May 25 of this year by the American Council on Education confirms the importance of the leadership role Wells has taken. This extensive study revealed that 71% of those surveyed, a pool representing families with members in college or selecting a college, believe higher education is too expensive.

Members of the higher education community have a responsibility to contain costs and communicate pricing clearly and effectively. Unless institutions begin to respond and work to build public support for higher education, we will soon be in the throes of a crisis that will threaten the basis of our entire system of higher education.

Public and media response to the Wells tuition decrease has been universally positive. Wells, following in its long history of innovation, is taking a leadership role. We will continue to offer liberal arts education of the highest quality and remain affordable to students who will flourish in our environment.

When a student enrolls at Wells, she joins a learning community that offers support as well as rigorous academics. Students are encouraged to express their ideas in an open and accepting environment. Students come first in the classroom, in student organizations, and on the athletic field. They are provided with time, space, and experiential learning opportunities to define themselves and to grow.

Each year Wells has produced a relatively small number of graduates. Their power and influence in the world has been far greater than the numbers would suggest. This is the value of a Wells education. We invite you to learn more about what Wells has to offer. 

Questions and answers about Wells' new policy