William Jessup University today announced it will decrease tuition by 2.5 percent for full-time undergraduate students for the 2009-2010 academic year and will expand scholarship programs for low-income students.

The drop in tuition is believed to be the first in the university’s 70-year history.

The university is the Greater Sacramento region’s only private four-year, residential university. The 2.5 percent tuition cut will save full-time students $500 for the entire year. The decision to cut tuition is designed to assist those impacted by a difficult economy and runs counter to a national trend of rising higher education tuition costs.

“This is the right time to cut the cost of higher education,” said University President Bryce Jessup. “Our students and their families will face enough economic challenges in the year ahead. We want to do all we can to allow students to pursue their educations to prepare themselves for their futures.”

Even before the cut, William Jessup University’s costs already were about 10 percent below the national average for private, four-year institutions.

In conjunction with the drop in tuition fees, the University is also establishing new scholarship programs aimed at helping low-income students and partnering with community groups.

“With these new scholarship programs, we are working to reach out to members of our community who may not have the resources to attain higher education,” said Joe Womack, vice president for advancement for William Jessup University.

In the current academic year, the university awarded more than $2.2 million in institutional financial aid. About 95 percent of William Jessup’s students enrolled in the traditional undergraduate program received some form of aid during the 2008-2009 academic year.

William Jessup University was named as one of America’s Best College Buys® in the National College Survey by the Institutional Research & Evaluation Inc., which recognizes institutions of higher education that provide exceptional educational opportunities. The university was one of five institutions selected in the state of California.

Jessup’s student profiles, including GPA and test scores, ranked among the top 20 percent of all national colleges according to Noel-Levitz, a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning for enrollment and student success.

Tuition for 2009-2010 will be $19,980, $500 less than the $20,480 tuition charged for 2008-2009, when the tuition was 10 percent below the national average for four-year private institutions. William Jessup University offers various scholarship opportunities that often make the cost comparable to what students would pay for tuition, room and board at a University of California campus like UC-Davis.

While many universities are freezing or cutting enrollment, William Jessup University is preparing to serve more students. The University is currently working on a $25 million expansion for student housing, athletic, dining, music and banquet facilities.

William Jessup invites prospective students to spend the day on campus Thursday, February 12 for Spring Preview Day. The event gives students and parents the opportunity to attend classes and interact with faculty, students and other parents in a small, intimate setting.

About William Jessup University

Founded in 1939 by William Jessup, the University moved to Rocklin, in August 2004. WJU is the first and only WASC accredited private four-year university to have its main campus located in the greater Sacramento area, offering degrees in many different disciplines, including Business Administration, Christian Education, English, History, Intercultural Studies, Liberal Studies (Teacher Education), Music, Pastoral Ministry, Psychology, Public Policy and Youth Ministry. Anticipated majors include fields in the humanities, science and professional studies. WJU also offers an adult Degree Completion Program at its campuses in Rocklin and San Jose in Counseling Psychology, Management and Christian Leadership. For more information, please visit www.jessup.edu or call (916) 577-2200.