Wonders Hall photographed on June 26, 2019.
Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees approved a 6.89% increase in rates for residence halls and dining plans at its meeting Friday. The change is recommended by the university's department of Student Life and Engagement, which says an increase is needed to keep up with rising inflation and residence hall renovations.
Rates for the standard double-room and silver dining-plan option will now be $12,564 for incoming first-year students, which is $810 more than current rates.
“(Student Life and Engagement) is sensitive to the need to keep housing and dining rates affordable for students, especially as the pressures of individual contribution to the cost of higher education continue to increase,” the resolution said. “This proposed rate attempts to strike a balance between affordability, enhanced services for students, and the continued renovation and required updates of aging residence halls and apartment buildings.”
The resolution also includes a 5% increase in rent for 1855 Place and University Village apartments.
It notes that in six of the last eight years, room and board rate increases were below 3% and that this change would help the university “mitigate the impact of inflation.” It also argues that even with the increase, MSU’s room and board pricing will remain “competitively positioned” with other Big Ten universities.
MSU approved similar rate hikes in April 2023, which raised rates 7% for first and second year students, 5% for 1855 Place and University Village Apartments and 3% for Spartan Village Apartments.
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