Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents during its regular session Thursday approved rates for the institution’s 2024-25 academic year, including tuition and fees, room and board rates, and supplemental fees that support the University’s continued emphasis on accessibility and affordability.
The Board approved a 4.2 percent rate increase in alignment with the University’s focus on meeting student expectations and experiences while maintaining its goals of operational excellence in the highly competitive higher education market.
Based on 30 credit hours, in-state undergraduate students attending Northwest next fall will see an estimated average net tuition price of $210.15, while out-of-state undergraduate students will see an estimated average net tuition price of $420.29.
Additionally, room rates will increase between $260 and $320 annually, depending on the residence hall a student selects. Meal plan rates will cost between $140 and $182, depending on the residential meal plan selected.
Tuition rates for graduate-level programs vary, based on program and delivery methods.
Presenting the proposed rates to regents, Vice President of Finance and Administration Stacy Carrick noted the University’s guiding principles related to the rates and that Northwest achieves competitive pricing through operational efficiencies and cost containment strategies.
According to a recent report released by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Northwest is the most efficient among state universities for state appropriations per student full-time equivalent while receiving the lowest state appropriations per degree and certificate granted.
At the same time, Northwest’s net price ranks below the state average of top competitors in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. Further, 96 percent of first-time, full-time students attending Northwest and 82 percent of undergraduate students receive scholarships or grants that help lower their tuition costs.
In addition to costs for tuition, room, and board, the Board approved increasing designated fees by a total of $5.30 per credit hour. That increase will support incremental operational and inflationary costs for programs, including Safe Ride Home, student activities, and campus recreation as well as the Campus Master Plan, which addresses aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance.
Northwest’s technology fee will increase by $1, and the textbook fee will increase by 50 cents per credit hour. Combined, the University’s innovative textbook and laptop rental programs save students an average of $6,800 during four years at Northwest.
Curriculum proposals
The Board approved the creation of a Bachelor of Science degree in public health and a graduate certificate in data analytics to begin next fall.
The University anticipates the Bachelor of Science in Public Health, which Northwest will offer online and in person on its Maryville campus, will serve a new market of students interested in the public health field. The degree program will introduce students to concepts associated with disparities and improvement of the health of diverse populations, health policy, and epidemiology. It also will help students develop skills to critically evaluate health problems, investigate health trends to develop interventions, learn to communicate with constituents, and become leaders in public health.
The 12-hour graduate certificate in data analytics will be offered online and assist working professionals interested in business intelligence and data analysis. Students will complete four introductory courses to obtain the certificate, and the coursework may be applied to Northwest’s Master of Science degree program in data analytics.
Martindale Hall renovations, beautification project
Regents approved the next phase of Northwest’s renovation at Martindale Hall to address space needs and centralize operations for allied health sciences programs. The University, which completed a renovation of the facility’s third floor last year, is now ready to embark on renovations and expansion of the building’s first and second floors.
On Thursday, regents authorized Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum and Carrick to execute a contract with a selected bidder that aligns with the total project cost of $17.5 million. The third-floor renovation totaled about $1.2 million, Carrick explained, and the first and second-floor renovations are projected to cost $14.3 in addition to other project costs, such as furniture and equipment, totaling about $2 million.
The Missouri General Assembly has approved $8.5 million toward the $17.5 million total project cost with the requirement that Northwest raise the remaining project funds by December 2024.
When complete, the renovated space will house the University’s foods and nutrition lab, a well-being lab, and a sports science lab as well as classrooms, collaboration spaces, and lounge spaces.
Martindale Hall opened in 1926 as the University gymnasium and was renovated and repurposed for academic programs between 1973 and 1975. The building serves as the primary office location for the School of Health Science and Wellness and includes four classrooms and other learning activity spaces.
In laying the groundwork for a separate project near Martindale Hall, the Board approved of the University’s desire to seek funding support to enhance a crosswalk by applying for a grant through the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). The grant, if awarded to Northwest, will pay for 80 percent or up to $600,000 of the total project cost; Northwest will fund the remaining 20 percent or up to $150,000 from its annual Campus Master Plan funds to meet the total project cost of $750,000.
The proposed project includes a new crosswalk and plaza redevelopment extending from the Fourth Street entrance of the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts building to the Joyce and Harvey White International Plaza with street lighting and a new sidewalk connecting Munn Avenue to Ray Avenue on the south side of the street.
Tatum recaps first year as president
During his report to the Board, Tatum reflected on his first year at the University, noting that he attended his first meeting with regents last March in conjunction with his introduction as the institution’s next leader.
“I want to say thank you to everyone for the opportunity that’s been given to us, and we are still very humbled about this – the chance to be the president at Northwest,” Tatum said on behalf of his family. “I also want to say thank you to everyone who has made the transition so smooth for us. It has been remarkably easy to transition into this community and into this university.”
Tatum voiced pride for the University’s accomplishments during the past year and the foundation being laid for the institution’s future success. Specifically, he highlighted the Board’s approval of an energy infrastructure modernization project that is set to begin this summer as well as a task force set up to study and refine Northwest’s recruitment practices and continued work on enhancing employee compensation.
The president also discussed his work to establish relationships with state, regional, and local leaders, in addition to Northwest employees, students, alumni, and friends. Tatum has accepted invitations to participate in several student engagement activities – including visiting two students who won a “Bearcat Cribs” room-decorating contest last fall and judging Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority’s Mr. Northwest competition last month.
Tatum celebrated recent Bearcat athletics accolades, including successful seasons for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, the upcoming induction of men’s head coach Ben McCollum into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, and national honors for members of Northwest’s indoor track and field team.
Finally, Tatum paid tribute to Dr. Clarence Green, who served Northwest during the 2022-23 academic year as its interim president and recently announced his retirement from the University after 28 years of employment. Green, although he was not in attendance during Thursday’s meeting, received a standing ovation from regents and meeting attendees after Tatum’s remarks.
“I’m going to miss Clarence,” Tatum said. “I’ve never seen him without a smile on his face. I have never seen him not in good humor. I have never spoken to him about an institutional matter where his passion for the people that work here and for the students that attend here does not come through in everything that he says. He is truly this university’s greatest advocate. I know that as he begins the next chapter of his life, he will know and that he will fully understand that he is leaving Northwest better than it was when he came here – and I know that because I’ve told him that several times.”
The Board of Regents is responsible for sound resource management of the University and determining general, educational, and financial policies.
