Tuition Transformation

Transforming Tuition

Simplifying the Cost of College

Understanding the cost of college can be challenging. Graceland is much more affordable than most people think, and we want to ensure our tuition price is closer to what people actually pay. So we are transforming our base tuition price from $32,500 to $19,950 beginning in the 2024-25 academic year. As you consider college, you want a simple, easy-to-understand formula designed to ensure that the one-of-a-kind Graceland Experience is within reach for your family.

We will continue offering generous financial aid to students and new students will enjoy a simplified scholarship process designed with transparency in mind.

Watch our News Story

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Tuition Transformation?

  In an effort to simplify the cost of college, increase access to a Graceland education, and build more transformational leaders, the University announced that it would change its published tuition price from $32,500 to $19,950. The University is also changing its approach to financial aid, simplifying the award structure to make it easier for students and families to understand.

• Why is Graceland changing its tuition?

  We know students and families often make decisions based on published tuition price, and we want to make sure they consider Graceland when deciding where to invest in their future. Graceland will change its published tuition to $19,950 – a 39% change from the previously approved tuition rate for 2023-24 academic year – bringing the published price closer to what students typically pay after scholarships and financial aid. We hope this helps more students discover Graceland and see it as the best choice for exceptional experiences and big opportunities.

• Does this mean students will pay less next year?

  Most current students can expect to pay the same out of pocket cost for tuition as they are currently paying, as Graceland scholarships and other aid are being adjusted in line with the new tuition. However, because of a lower base tuition, future annual tuition increases will be lower than they would have been without the decrease in published tuition, and thus, students will pay less in each succeeding year.

  As always, each student’s net cost is determined by a number of individual factors. Personalized estimates for tuition costs and scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year are being sent to all current first-, second-, and third-year students via email. If you have questions or did not receive your personalized estimate, please contact Student Financial Services at 866-786-2792, option 3

• How does tuition transformation benefit current students?

  Graceland is not increasing your out-of-pocket tuition for next year.  Because of a lower tuition price, future annual tuition increases (typically 2.5-5% annually) will be smaller.  Students will pay less than they would have without tuition transformation, in each succeeding year.  For example:

  Year	Tuition Rate	Example Annual Increase (5%)
  2023-24	$32,500	$1625
  2024-25	$19,950	$998

• What will the total direct cost be for the 2024-25 academic year?

  As always, students will continue to pay different net amounts based on varying levels of scholarship and financial aid. Tuition for full-time students attending undergraduate programs on the Lamoni campus during the 2024-25 academic year will be $19,950. The net tuition price you pay for the 2024-25 academic year will be what you are paying now for the 2023-24 academic year.

  In addition to simplifying the tuition and scholarship approach, Graceland has simplified the fee charges that most students in the Lamoni undergraduate programs incur.  Specifically, Graceland is replacing the current student activity, technology and athletic fees, with a single student activity and technology fee of $1,000 per student per year.

  The table below reflects an illustration of tuition, food, housing and fees that will be charged beginning the fall 2024 for the 2024-25 academic year, as compared to the previous three years:  [Note that there are many different room and food plans available, the illustration below reflects just one of the standard room and food plans.]

  Lamoni Undergraduate Programs	2021-22 $	2022-23 $	2023-24 $	2024-25 $
  Tuition	31,250	31,250	32,500	19,950
  2-Person Room	3,770	3,900	4,095	4,300
  Meal Plan	6,040	6,200	6,450	6,700
  Fees	770	820	820	1,000
  Total	41,830	42,170	43,865	31,950

  Please note that the foregoing reflects only the direct costs to attend Graceland and are before applying any scholarships, or federal or state aid. Total cost of attendance (which includes books, course-specific charges, transportation, and other living expenses) would be in addition to those costs reflected above).  The fees reflected for 2021-22 through 2023-24 above include an athletic fee of $100 that was previously charged only to student athletes.

  The housing, food, and fee amounts for 2024-25 reflect modest increases over 2023-24 to ensure that Graceland can keep pace with the increasing costs associated with labor, utilities, technology improvements, maintenance, and third-party charges (e.g., food service provided by Sodexo).

• Can I opt out of the new tuition?

  No. Tuition is being lowered for all Lamoni campus undergraduate program students. Returning students can expect to pay the same net tuition price as they are for 2023-24 since scholarship and aid are being adjusted according to the new tuition. Because of a lower base tuition, annual tuition increases will be lower than they would have been without the reduction in published tuition.

• Will lower tuition mean fewer resources for Graceland students?

  Not at all. Graceland will continue to invest in programs, partnerships, new initiatives, facilities, and other resources that enhance our students’ learning and living experiences and prepare them for their future. With the addition of Transformational Leadership as an included second major for all undergraduate students, the value of a Graceland education is continuing to increase. We will continue to invest in our students, and will continue to offer scholarships to our students.

• Was Graceland overcharging students before?

  No. Due to generous scholarships and financial aid, most families typically pay a much lower amount than our published tuition price. However, we know students often make decisions on where to attend universities/colleges based on published tuition price, and we want to make sure they consider Graceland when deciding where to invest in their future. We hope that by lowering our tuition to bring the overall cost closer to what students typically pay after scholarships and financial aid, more students will consider Graceland.

• Will returning students pay the same tuition as new students?

  The Lamoni campus undergraduate program published tuition will be the same for all full-time students – new and returning – beginning in the fall of 2024. However, as always, students will continue to pay different net amounts based on personal circumstances which result in varying levels of scholarship and financial aid.

• Will part-time students benefit from the new tuition price?

  Yes, part-time students who are taking Lamoni undergraduate courses will see a reduction in credit hour charges from $1,005 currently to $620 per credit hour for 2024-25 academic year.

• Does Tuition Transformation affect the tuition prices for graduate or undergraduate programs based on the Independence, Missouri campus?

  No, Tuition Transformation does not change the tuition price for those programs.  In spring 2022, Graceland changed its tuition price for its BS in Nursing program based on the Independence campus that resulted in a significant reduction in published tuition price for that program, as well as simplification of the associated fees and financial aid awards.  Graceland reviews and adjusts the tuition for its graduate and undergraduate programs each year. For those students who begin their education on Graceland’s Lamoni campus and then complete their program on the Independence campus program, the tuition price (and any applicable scholarships and other financial aid) is based on the location where the student is participating in the program.

• When will the changes take effect?

  Tuition Transformation (including the reduced published tuition price for the Lamoni campus undergraduate programs) will be effective for the 2024-25 academic year.

• Will Graceland continue to raise tuition each year?

  The Graceland University Board of Trustees sets tuition and other costs annually based on several factors, including the costs to operate the University, but Graceland works to maintain affordability for our students while considering the long-term financial stability for the University. Families can expect slight increases to the tuition price in the future, however, because of the lower base tuition beginning in fall 2024, annual tuition increases thereafter will be lower than they would have been without the decrease in tuition, resulting in an overall savings for our students.

  Graceland will also continue to recognize student achievement through generous scholarships and financial aid, helping keep the overall net cost to attend as manageable as possible, in many cases in line with or even lower than state schools.  As elsewhere in these FAQs, the past tuition increases have been minimal, and tuition was held flat (i.e., no increase) from 2021-22 to 2022-23.

• How will the tuition change impact the Graceland experience?

  Students will continue to have the same great Graceland experience they’ve always had. Everything about Graceland is designed to give you big opportunities. That will not change. Our size, our people, and what we’re all about mean you get a degree that propels you into the world along with a whole lot more. In fact, one of the major goals of tuition transformation is to ensure that more students have access to a Graceland education. We are committed to ensuring that Graceland students have experiences in the classroom, on the field, and on our campuses that lead to a meaningful life. In the past 12 months alone, the University has added new majors, new sports, and new experiences for our students.

• Is Graceland reducing staff/faculty?

  We are not reducing any staff or faculty positions because of the changes to tuition.

• Are any changes being made to academic programming because of the tuition decrease?

  No. The new lower tuition will not impact the quality of your academic education at Graceland. We will continue to offer students opportunities to pursue a degree in more than 25 areas of study with small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratios.

• Will Graceland still offer scholarships and financial aid?

  Absolutely. Like always, Graceland will continue to recognize student achievement in and out of the classroom through generous scholarships and financial aid just adjusted for the new tuition price. Our approach to scholarships and financial aid will change slightly in an effort to create a financial aid process that is easier to understand.

• Is Graceland adjusting the way it awards scholarships and financial aid?

  Personalized estimates for scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year are being sent to all first-, second-, and third-year students via campus mail. If you have questions or did not receive your personalized estimate, please contact Student Financial Services at 866-786-2792, option 3.

  For incoming students beginning in the fall 2024, Graceland is transforming its scholarshipping approach.  Specifically, all new students who receive Graceland financial aid will receive (with a few exceptions) a single scholarship that recognizes that students’ performance (e.g., athletic, visual performing arts, etc.), academic achievement (e.g., merit), and financial need.  This change is designed to simplify Graceland’s financial aid approach for students and their families to understand the value attributed to performance and academic contributions.

• Is Graceland making adjustments to its admission criteria?

  No. We are not making any adjustments to our admission criteria because of Tuition Transformation.

• What is the difference between the published tuition price and the actual tuition cost to attend?

  The actual tuition cost to attend Graceland is the difference between the published tuition price and the generous scholarships and financial aid that are offered to our students.  Each student’s scholarships and financial aid are determined by several individual factors and the amounts awarded are different, meaning the actual cost to attend also varies.

• Will the change in the published tuition price impact outside scholarships or federal or state grant funds?

  No. Federal Pell Grants and state grants are awarded based on family income and assets as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal student loans are available to eligible students who complete an FAFSA application. Most private scholarship awards are based on merit, financial need, or performance criterium (e.g., athletic, visual performing arts, etc.), not the published tuition cost.

• Will the change in the published tuition price impact my work study?

  Work study is a federally funded (with some Graceland funding) program based on the financial need determined based on family income and assets reported on the FAFSA.

• How will the new lower tuition compare to other colleges and universities in terms of tuition cost?

  Graceland has always been an extremely affordable option for students compared to state schools and other private liberal arts universities. Graceland’s transformed tuition approach will make that comparison more clear to those seeking a college home.

• Who should I contact with questions about tuition and other costs?

  Please contact the Student Financial Services Office at 866-786-2792, option 3, or the Admissions Office at 1-800-833-0524.

• I’m a current student and I did not receive the personalized estimates for costs, scholarship, and financial aid for the 2024-25 academic year. How do I obtain one?

  Please contact Student Financial Services 866-786-2792 option 3.

• As a returning student, will I receive less financial aid?

  Like always, Graceland will continue to offer financial aid to qualifying students as well as scholarships that recognize student achievement. Beginning in fall 2024, existing scholarships and financial aid will be adjusted according to the new, lower published tuition, making your total net cost for tuition the same as you paid in 2023-24.

  Each student’s net cost is determined by a number of individual factors. Personalized estimates for costs, scholarship, and financial aid for the 2024-2025 academic year are being sent to all first-, second-, and third-year students via email. If you have questions or did not receive your personalized estimate, please contact Student Financial Services at 866-786-2792, option 3

• As a returning student, will I still receive my scholarship(s)?

  Absolutely. Graceland will continue to recognize student achievement in and out of the classroom through generous scholarships and financial aid. Beginning in the fall of 2024, existing scholarships and financial aid will be adjusted according to the new, lower published tuition price, making your total net cost for tuition the same as what you have paid in 2023-24.

  Personalized estimates for costs, scholarship and financial aid for the 2024-25 academic year are being sent to all first-, second-, and third-year students via email. If you have questions or did not receive your personalized estimate, please contact Student Financial Services at 866-786-2792, option 3.

• Who should I contact with questions?

  Please contact the Student Financial Services at 866-786-2792, option 3.

• I want to enroll as a new full-time student in January 2024. Should I delay my enrollment to the fall when tuition will be lower?

  No. We encourage you to enroll when you had originally planned. After the lower published tuition goes into effect in the fall 2024, the net tuition price students will pay will be what they were paying during the 2023-24 academic year (whether the student begins in the fall of 2023 or spring of 2024). There is no financial benefit for delaying enrollment.

• Will the tuition decrease impact faculty/staff position, compensation, or benefits?

  Absolutely not. We are not reducing any staff or faculty positions, compensation or benefits because of Tuition Transformation.

• Will Tuition Transformation affect tuition benefit for employees and their dependents?

  Tuition benefit will not change because of Tuition Transformation.

• I recently graduated from Graceland when the tuition price was much higher than it will be with Tuition Transformation; can I get a refund?

  It is important to note that the published tuition price is what is being reduced, along with a proportionate amount of scholarships that Graceland provides to its students.  It is very likely that just because the published tuition price was higher when you attended Graceland, your scholarships and/or other financial aid were also much higher than they would be under Tuition Transformation.  The net tuition price that students pay after Tuition Transformation is very likely more than the net tuition price that you paid when you attended Graceland. Because each student has a unique set of circumstances it is impossible to provide a response that applies in all circumstances.

• Does the lower published tuition price mean that the Graceland education is not worth as much as it once was?

  No, absolutely not. The new published tuition price is a better reflection of what students will pay for their tuition at Graceland. Graceland has implemented a number of unique and significant programs that further enhance the Graceland experience, from the first-of-its-kind Transformational Leadership major to new academic programs. Graceland continues to be an excellent educational investment for students and families.

• If scholarship amounts for returning students will be reduced in proportion to the reduction in tuition price, does that mean that endowed and/or restricted scholarships will no longer be fully utilized?

  Graceland will continue to award and utilize available endowed and/or restricted funds for students consistent with the donor intentions.  Further, the reduction in tuition price may allow for more students to benefit from the endowed and/or restricted funds.

• If Graceland will be awarding a single scholarship for incoming students beginning for the 2024-25 academic year, does that mean that some endowed and/or restricted scholarships will no longer be available for students?

  Graceland has thoughtfully and intentionally streamlined its scholarship offerings, which means funds may be available to help even more students than in the past. Although new students may receive a single scholarship, that scholarship is intended to be a holistic display of their value to all areas of our campus. Single scholarships may vary across academic, athletic, arts and other interests, but all students are still encouraged to participate in as many interests as they find important to their Graceland experience.

  Tuition Transformation does not eliminate the awarding or use of scholarships. It may mean that [endowed/restricted] funds will be available to help even more students than in the past. Also, while most new students will receive a primary scholarship, it does not mean that a particular student may not be recognized for many different performance, academic, and other attributes that result in awarding a larger scholarship amount.

• I was considering making a donation to Graceland for a particular program (or to increase the amount I previously contributed), can I still do that?

  Yes, absolutely. Tuition Transformation does not directly affect the establishment of new or existing [endowed/restricted] funds that will help provide scholarships to Graceland students.