As everything from milk to gas continues to increase in cost, AU's average tuition cost rose by 6 percent this academic year, an increase that is in line with the national trend for tuition hikes.
AU's average tuition cost for full-time students this academic year rose to $32,816. According to AU's Web site, when board and fees, including health insurance and books are considered, total costs average $49,441.
Frank Rovelli, the father of College of Arts and Sciences freshman Frank Rovelli, said he believes the university's costs are too high.
"We've always valued the importance of a college education, but $45,000 a year seems a bit much," he said.
"Paying for our son's education takes a huge chunk of our salary, especially when we're sending another son off to college next year."
Families have become more burdened by the struggle to keep up with college bills and they end up needing to change their lifestyles, Rovelli said.
"A lot of our neighbors have sent their children to state schools to save on tuition, but we're trying to save in other ways. We've cut back on luxuries such as going out to eat or saving for vacations," he said. "But we do all of this work to finance his education because we know that it'll be worth it at the end of four years."
Kristen Park, a freshman in CAS, said she tries to control her spending because of college costs.
"I know my parents are putting out a lot of money for me to go here, and I really want to help out with the cost," she said. "So now I'm always really careful with how I spend my money."
Park said her money-saving habits include only purchasing used textbooks, shopping at the sales racks at clothing stores, buying generic brands of food, saving plastic silverware and containers, always taking advantage of free products on campus and condensing trips to save money on Metro fares.
Despite the financial stress that a private school like AU puts on students' and parents' wallets, many agreed that the education and services offered at the school are well worth the extra cost.
Bonnie Hoops, a freshman in CAS, said AU offers many amenities students don't need to pay an additional fee for, including public safety, money to spend on printing, nice buildings and defense classes.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't think [AU] was worth the extra money," Hoops said.
George Washington University's tuition rose to $38,500 a year and Georgetown University's tuition now costs $35,568.
Park said AU offers more services and a nicer campus for a better price than both schools.
"We actually have a campus, unlike GW, while we still have access to everything in Washington, D.C.," she said. "The people here are friendlier, too, and the professors really care about our futures."
Hoops said that while she believes AU is worth the extra expense, she also thinks tuition hikes are unnecessary and need to be controlled.
"If they raise tuition prices any more, then nobody will be able to afford to go to college and nobody will be educated enough to fix the economy and stop tuition hikes," she said.
You can reach this writer at news@theeagleonline.com.
