President Carl Strikwerda released an announcement on Tuesday, Feb. 11 to Elizabethtown College students and their families that the 2014-2015 comprehensive fee would increase by 4.5 percent.

This tallied the total tuition cost at $39,920 and standard room and board charges at $9,820. This increase was decided upon during the Board of Trustees winter meeting where they “carefully consider[ed] the cost of an Etown education,” according the Strikwerda’s official announcement.

Strikwerda is expected to issue his first President’s Report this coming April, which will reportedly highlight the College’s improvements while progressing through the five-year strategic plan.

In his announcement, Strikwerda also stated that the President’s Report will help students and their families “understand … how [their] investment is paying dividends through the academic experience of [their] young person.”

Last year, tuition increased by the same percentage. With the increase, the College will continue to provide merit and need-based scholarships for prospective and current students to make their Etown education as affordable as possible.