Providing Affordable Education

The Challenge of Affording College

Much of Catholic Higher Education is built on an unsustainable financial model.

The tuition is too high, but for those with very high incomes.
- Average tuition discounts of more than 50% are clear indicators of this.
Even with discounts, families must borrow heavily to afford college.
- Evidence indicates that the average family can afford something between $10,000-$13,000/year.*
- Families must borrow the difference between their net (discounted) cost and what they can afford.
- The result is that the average student loan debt now approaches $30,000.
The model requires
- Ever-increasing tuition, with ever-increasing tuition discounts;
- Ever-expanding development;
- Ever-expanding enrollments.

The Solution

The Collegium has developed a model, rethinking higher education from the ground up with a view toward long-term sustainability.

Lower tuition up front (little or no discounting)
Supporting revenue from auxiliary enterprise(s)
- Students participate in these as part of a Benedictine model of ora et labora
Keeping facility and faculty needs limited:
- Small student body (maximum of 120)
- Singular liberal arts focus.
Faculty and staff hired within a framework of sacrificial work. Administrative overhead kept to a minimum; all administrators also teach. Salaries will be adequate; housing may be part of compensation.
Gifts from benefactors committed to the mission and vision of The Collegium.

Collegium sanctorum angelorum