Georgian Court University, Lakewood, will not increase tuition costs next academic year, a move that effectively holds the cost of attendance at current levels for both undergraduate and graduate students, university officials recently announced.

The decision, made by the GCU board of trustees, reflects the university’s commitment to affordability, a key factor facing students and their families.

“We recognize that paying for a high quality college education is an important issue,” said the university’s president, Dr. Joseph R. Marbach.

“By holding tuition costs this year, and by very carefully managing the resources we have, we can ensure that GCU remains one of the more affordable independent colleges in New Jersey.”

Undergraduate tuition and fees at GCU are currently $31,618, and graduate students pay tuition based on their credit load. Neither rate will change next academic year. The university will continue to help students find ways to afford college, and for many, funding from New Jersey’s Tuition Aid Grant program, the Equal Opportunity Fund program, federal Pell grants, work-study assignments, and generous donor-funded scholarships offer significant help.

“College is a considerable investment, and we know the investment is worth it,” said Dr. Marbach, adding that GCU, the only Catholic higher education institution in South and Central New Jersey, has gained attention for delivering a value-added education.

“Our graduates are earning more than expected, as The Economist noted last fall, and MONEY® magazine named us 25th among the Top 50 Colleges that Add the Most Value, out of more than 1,500 four-year colleges nationwide,” he said. Washington Monthly recognized GCU on its 2015 “Best Bang for the Buck” list of colleges and universities, and GCU also is a Catholic College of Distinction.

Making sure GCU’s values-based, value-added experience is accessible to students is critical, Dr. Marbach said, noting other efforts to help students make the most of their college years.

Some of GCU’s recent developments include an award-winning program dedicated to keeping students on track to graduate in four years; a powerful new faculty-student mentoring program that is showing early promise; and a concentrated focus on student advising. New scholarship programs for students in the region’s Catholic high schools and expanded partnerships with community colleges are also a huge financial help for some students.

“We are carefully managing the university budget while being innovative in meeting our students’ needs,” said Dr. Marbach. “We continue to offer donor-funded scholarships and significant financial aid, and we are working to make sure accountability, affordability and accessibility are top priorities.”