Price Reset FAQs

A tuition reset lowers a college's published tuition price and adjusts institutional scholarships and financial aid to fit the new price. It changes the starting price families see; it does not mean every student's final cost is reduced by the same percentage.

Beginning with the 2027-28 academic year, Carroll's published undergraduate tuition will be $26,800, 40% lower than the previous published tuition. General undergraduate student fees, previously $1,452, will be eliminated.

Carroll is moving away from the high-tuition, high-discount model paired with substantial institutional aid. The lower published price is intended to make Carroll's cost easier to understand, reduce sticker-price confusion and support enrollment and long-term financial sustainability. It also allows more families to consider Carroll based on its academic quality, personal attention and student outcomes, not simply its published price.

The new published tuition of $26,800 applies to new and returning students in undergraduate programs beginning in fall 2027. 

Students starting at Carroll in fall 2027 will begin under the new tuition model and receive clear information about the academic scholarship for which they qualify and its amount. Other financial aid may also affect a student’s final net cost.

Returning students will also have a published tuition rate of $26,800 for 2027–28. Their Carroll academic scholarships and other institutional aid, including talent awards and need-based grants, will be adjusted to align with the new tuition. Assuming there are no changes to individual circumstances, returning students can expect their out-of-pocket cost to remain about the same or decrease compared with what they would have paid without the reset.

Graduate and post-baccalaureate programs are not included because their tuition is priced separately.

No. The 40% reduction applies to published undergraduate tuition, not to each student's final net price. Carroll scholarships and other institutional aid will be recalculated to align with the lower tuition. Actual cost will continue to depend on financial aid, enrollment and individual circumstances.

No. This is a change to Carroll’s pricing model, not to the quality or character of a Carroll education. Students will continue to benefit from excellent academic programs, small classes, professors who know and mentor them, hands-on learning, research and internship opportunities, individualized student support, and a close-knit community rooted in faith and service. The price is changing; Carroll’s academic standards and commitment to student success are not.

Housing, meals, books, supplies, transportation, personal expenses and applicable course- or program-specific charges remain separate from tuition. General undergraduate student fees will be eliminated. Room and board rates will remain frozen for the 2027-28 academic year.

No. This is a long-term tuition model, not a one-year promotion. The $26,800 published tuition rate applies to the 2027-28 academic year. Future tuition rates will be set through Carroll's regular annual planning process, beginning from the lower base.

Not necessarily. The reset lowers Carroll’s published tuition and recalibrates institutional aid; it is not an across-the-board reduction in every student’s final net price.

Assuming there are no changes to individual circumstances, current students can expect their out-of-pocket cost to remain about the same or decrease in 2027–28. An incoming student’s final cost will depend on scholarships, grants and other financial aid.

The primary purpose of the reset is to replace a confusing pricing model with a clearer published tuition that more closely reflects what many families pay after institutional aid. This will make it easier for students and families to understand Carroll’s cost, compare their options and make informed decisions.

Please email tuition@carroll.edu with questions.

A student's final net price will depend on scholarships, grants, financial aid eligibility and individual circumstances. Families should use Carroll's net price calculator for an initial estimate and contact Admission or Financial Aid for a personalized review. The clearer starting price makes it easier for families to understand the investment in a Carroll education from the beginning.

Yes. Carroll will continue to offer merit scholarships, need-based grants, athletic and talent awards and other institutional aid, although award names and amounts may change under the new model. Federal and state aid, outside scholarships and 529 funds will continue to apply. Students should complete the FAFSA and meet all financial aid deadlines. This allows Carroll to continue investing in students while offering a clearer and more accessible starting price.

Carroll has adjusted its scholarship offerings to align with the new lower tuition model. As a result, some scholarships and awards promoted before the announcement will no longer be offered. Carroll remains committed to recognizing academic achievement and providing scholarships and financial aid to help make a Carroll education affordable. The tuition reset and elimination of general fees provides a clearer, more transparent starting point for understanding the cost of a Carroll education.  

Domestic first-year students entering Carroll in fall 2027 will be considered for academic scholarships based on their grade-point average at the time of admission and, when submitted, SAT or ACT scores. Students who apply without test scores will remain eligible for academic scholarships based on GPA.

The adjusted scholarship structure provides students and families with clearer information about potential award amounts earlier in the admission process, helping them better understand their investment and plan confidently for a Carroll education.

Beginning with the 2027–28 academic year, current students’ published undergraduate tuition will be $26,800. Carroll academic scholarships and other institutional aid—including talent awards and support grants—will be recalculated proportionally to align with the simplified tuition.

The reset itself will not increase a current student’s out-of-pocket cost. Assuming there are no changes to the student’s individual circumstances, families can expect to pay about the same as or less than they paid in 2026–27.

A student’s actual cost may still change for reasons unrelated to the tuition reset, including changes in household income or family size reported on the FAFSA, enrollment status, housing, meals or financial aid eligibility.

On September 9, the Financial Aid Office provided each current student with a personalized, side-by-side comparison showing their 2026–27 tuition and financial aid alongside an estimate of their new tuition and recalculated aid for 2027-28. An assigned Financial Aid team member is also available to review the comparison line by line and answer questions about individual accounts.

Current students benefit in several ways:

• General undergraduate fees are eliminated. The $1,452 in general mandatory undergraduate fees will no longer be charged.
• The reset avoids the 2027-28 tuition increase that otherwise would have applied. Current students’ net tuition cost is expected to remain steady or decrease under the new model.
• Future increases begin from a lower base. Any future percentage adjustments will be calculated from published tuition of $26,800 rather than more than $43,000, helping moderate future cost growth.
• Outside resources cover a larger share of tuition. Fixed-dollar resources such as Pell Grants, outside scholarships and 529 funds represent a greater percentage of the lower published tuition.

Together, these changes provide greater price clarity while preserving the full Carroll academic and student experience.

A current student’s tuition, scholarships and financial aid may look different on their financial aid offer and billing statement, but Carroll is committed to a smooth and transparent transition to the new cost model. Institutional scholarships and grants will be adjusted to align with the lower tuition. Instead of seeing multiple institutional awards, students will see a single Clear Cost Award; athletic and activity scholarships will continue to be listed separately. Assuming their circumstances and enrollment remain unchanged, a current student’s 2027–2028 out-of-pocket cost is expected to be comparable to their 2026–2027 cost—and lower than it would have been with a typical annual tuition increase.

No. The tuition reset applies only to undergraduate programs. Graduate and post-baccalaureate programs are not included because Carroll already provides transparent, competitively priced tuition for these programs.

No. The 40% reduction applies to Carroll’s published tuition, not to the amount each family pays after scholarships and financial aid. Under the previous model, higher published tuition was paired with larger institutional scholarships and grants.

Current students provide a helpful example. When they transition to the new model in 2027–2028, their published tuition will decrease and their institutional aid will be recalibrated. Assuming their circumstances and enrollment remain unchanged, their out-of-pocket costs are expected to be comparable to 2026–2027, not automatically 40% lower. The same relationship between tuition and aid applies when comparing prior and future students.

Carroll’s previous tuition and aid model served students for many years and reflected a common approach across higher education. In recent years, however, the value and cost of college have come under greater scrutiny, and price has become increasingly important in determining which institutions families consider. Carroll’s research showed that its high published price–"sticker shock"–was causing some families to rule out the college before exploring available financial aid. Following extensive research and planning, Carroll is taking this step now as part of its broader strategic vision to serve more learners, strengthen enrollment, and preserve the quality and outcomes that define a Carroll education.

The reset is intended to help Carroll attract more students and support the college’s long-term sustainability. A healthy, well-positioned Carroll reinforces the reputation of the institution, the value of a Carroll degree and the strength of the alumni network. It also expands the community of students and graduates who carry the Carroll name into their professions and communities.

Carroll will continue to administer gifts according to donor intent, gift agreements and applicable policies. Donors with questions about a specific endowment, scholarship or designation should contact Advancement.

Yes. Many students will continue to need financial assistance. Donor-funded scholarships may cover a larger share of the lower published tuition, and philanthropy will continue to support academic programs, faculty, student opportunities, facilities and other college priorities. These investments help Carroll continue providing the personal attention, academic quality and student opportunities that distinguish a Carroll education.