FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
North Portland Bible College Guards “Affordable” Principle
Since its beginnings nearly thirty years ago, North Portland Bible College has maintained three fundamental principles that mark its distinctive place in higher education in Portland. These principles are: accessibility; affordability; cultural relevance. Believing no student should be deterred from an opportunity to attend college because of cost, the college has guarded this principle of affordability carefully.
While the cost of college everywhere has spiraled over the past decade, reaching over $400 per credit hour in most private, independent schools, NPBC has continued to keep its tuition fees at a remarkably low level. While most other schools derive as much as 80% of their operating costs from tuition and fees, at NPBC tuition/fees provide approximately 15% of what it costs to meet the operating budget. This has been possible, in part, because the college works hard to keep its operating costs at a minimum, and because both staff and faculty serve with an impressively sacrificial spirit. Of course, the remaining 85% of operating costs must be supplied by faithful donors who value and support the ministry of NPBC.
As operating costs continue to go up, we’ve taken note of the recent announcement that the schools in the Oregon Higher Education System are raising tuition rates for 2011-12 by an average of 9%. While North Portland Bible College faces the same increasing costs, great care is being taken in decisions about tuition. We remain committed to the “affordability” concept. It will be necessary, however, to meet rising costs with a tuition adjustment. The NPBC Board of Trustees has just announced that tuition for the next academic year, beginning in the Fall 2011 term, will increase to $65 per credit hour. A full three credit course will now cost $195.00, still substantially below other colleges. A similar course at most other schools would cost $1200 or more.
As we continue to grow, we will continue to strive to maintain the three core principles we believe God has honored over the years—accessibility, affordability, cultural relevance.
James E. Sweeney, Ph.D.
Interim President
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NEWS HIGHLIGHT:
- 2011 Honors and Commencement
- Facility Upgrade
- Library Update
- Tuition Increase
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