As shown in Figure 6.8, Comparison of tuition fees at select Canadian universities with Dalhousie (2012/13), Dalhousie tuition rates vary widely by program of study. The graph shows the tuition rates of 17 other comparator institutions, grouped into quartiles. Tuition rates at Dalhousie are among the highest for many faculties, such as Science and Arts and Social Sciences, mid-range for Management, Law and Medicine and low for Dentistry and Engineering. Taking the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences as an example, tuition and auxiliary fees have grown by an average of 2.9 per cent per year over the past decade as seen in Figure 6.9, Undergraduate arts tuition and auxiliary fees, which shows tuition and auxiliary fees for undergraduate arts students since 2002/03. Broken down, this includes average annual increases of 2.4 per cent and 7.6 per cent in tuition and auxiliary fees respectively.
The more significant level of increase in the auxiliary fees over this period relates to new services to students for the bus pass and dental coverage. For the last seven years, MOUs with the province have allowed tuition rates first to be frozen for four years at 2006/07 levels and then beginning in 2011/12 increases have been capped at three per cent for most programs. It should be noted that, after taking into account the Nova Scotia University Student Bursary of $1,283, the tuition fee for Nova Scotia arts students has increased by only $566 over the last 10 years. Auxiliary fees are mandatory fees that must be paid by all students. They include Facilities Renewal and Dalhousie Student Union fees, and fees for services such as Dalplex, the student bus pass, Health Services and Dental and Health Insurance. Auxiliary fees represent about 13 per cent of the total fees that students pay.
Comparison of tuition fees at select Canadian universities with Dalhousie (2012/13)
FIGURE 6.8
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dalhousie First quartile
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Third quartile Fourth quartile
20 15 10 5
Source: Financial Services
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Second quartile 25