Tuition hike at Holy Cross attributed to the significant influence of the NIL Fund
Holy Cross Announces Tuition Increase to Fund Athletic Programs
In a surprising move, the College of the Holy Cross has announced a tuition increase for the upcoming 2025/26 academic year, with the new rate set at $68,090, representing a 5.6% increase from the current year's tuition.
The decision, announced by President Rougeau in an email titled "The Truth - A Message About Tuition Increases" on Friday, Feb. 28, 2024, comes as the school seeks to compete in the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era and fund its athletic programs.
In a YouTube video featuring President Rougeau and Athletic Director Kit Hughes, the pair discussed the reasons behind the tuition hike. According to Hughes, the increased tuition is not a negative when it goes towards a middle school football player's contract to play at Holy Cross.
The tuition increase is not primarily for academic improvements, but rather to fund the school's athletic programs and compete with other schools in the NIL era. Rougeau and Hughes also believe that the tuition increase will increase the collective spirit on campus in the long run, something that better academic facilities or improved dorms would never be able to do.
AD Hughes stated that his job is dependent on the success of the sports teams and expressed a desire for Holy Cross to be known as an elite athletic school. Hughes also mentioned the lack of interest in Holy Cross' sports and the need to manufacture interest, possibly through a school dress code made up of Holy Cross athletic gear.
President Rougeau, the 33rd President of the College of the Holy Cross, was photographed on campus in Worcester, Massachusetts on November 7, 2024, during the interview with Ben Lepper '25 and Nathan Howard '25 for The Spire.
It's worth noting that, as of August 2025, no direct information or reports mention a controversy at Holy Cross regarding tuition increases or allegations of prioritizing athletics over academics. To obtain accurate and current information, it is recommended to check official statements from Holy Cross administration or student government, local news sources or campus newspapers, and social media feeds or forums where students and faculty might discuss these issues.
[1] Federal Research Funding Cuts [2] Tax Legislation Affecting Private Education Institutions [3] Ethical Questions in College Admissions [4] Higher Education Issues [5] College Athletics
- The faculty at College of the Holy Cross, while committed to academic excellence, might express concerns about the school's decision to prioritize funding for athletic programs over education-and-self-development.
- Alumni of Holy Cross, during events such as class reunions, might voicing disagreement with the tuition increase, noting that it appears to prioritize sports over education.
- Despite the tuition increase, potential students might still find the college appealing, enticed by the opportunities for athletic participation and the collective spirit on campus.
- The new tuition rate, set at $68,090 for the 2025/26 academic year, has raised questions about where the school's funding for education would come from, including potential cuts in federal research funding or finance implications from tax legislation affecting private education institutions.
- The decision to increase tuition to fund athletics might lead to ethical debates, especially in light of the NIL era and concerns about prioritizing sports over academics.
- The athletics department's goal for Holy Cross to be known as an elite athletic school could potentially increase the brand's visibility, attracting more student athletes and perhaps even sponsors, potentially positively impacting the school's financial situation.
