"Differential tuition represents an opportunity for students to invest in their own intellectual capital. Students will capture the returns from these investments in the form of higher incomes that will accumulate over their entire work lives. Students strongly support this initiative because they understand that their expected return is many times greater than the additional tuition they will be investing."
This quote is taken from the student proposal that recommended approval of differential tuition (DT). It’s important to recognize and acknowledge that the expected benefits of DT, approved more than three years ago, are reality for current students.
Unlike basic tuition that is applied University-wide, DT (the per credit hour tuition paid by students taking business classes) remains entirely at the School where it is directly reinvested for the benefit of business students.
Increased faculty, additional majors and improved course offerings
Using DT funds, the School increased its capacity to better serve undergraduate students by offering new majors in Finance, Marketing, Management and Leadership, Information Systems and most recently, Supply Chain Management. DT provides the funding necessary to support the 35 percent increase in School faculty required by the expansion of majors available to Business students. Additionally, the existing major in Accounting is enhanced, innovative courses in entrepreneurship are now offered, and a business minor program has been implemented. Students enrolled in the minor program pay DT, and these moneys fund the program. DT funds also were used to broaden the choice of electives for business students at all levels of study.
Prior to DT, the School offered majors in Accounting and Business Administration only, putting School graduates at a disadvantage in the job market. Companies want employees with degrees in their specific area of specialization. Today’s KU Business graduates have the credentials companies expect and are seeking.
Expanded Academic and Career Services
DT provided additional funding for new staff positions in the Student and Academic Services office and the Business Career Services Center. These student-oriented functions are an important complement to the educational improvements made with DT funds.
In 2006-07, the Career Services Center facilitated over 1,200 interviews for School students with recruiting companies. Average starting salaries for School graduates have increased anywhere from 3.4% to 13.5 % in the past year, depending upon a graduate’s major.
Additional scholarship and work study opportunities
DT funds an increased amount of School-specific aid with more than $1.3 million in scholarships, student development funds and work-study opportunities now available to Business students.
Expanded learning and professional opportunities
DT provides the financial resources needed to create and support more opportunities for students to explore careers firsthand, through activities like Jayhawks on Wall Street, Jayhawks on the Job, and XPlore. The School’s annual Career Fair is now one of the largest at KU. Expanded learning opportunities also are available through case competitions, professional skills development classes, and study abroad programs.
Three years later, DT continues to pay dividends in raising the quality of education at the School of Business. "DT was a student-led initiative," said Keith Chauvin, associate dean. “It began as a recommendation that proposed a per credit hour cost as a way for students to directly participate in enhancing the value of their education.” In implementing DT, the School was led by the value proposition of creating a stronger curriculum, providing more student services to develop the whole student, and offering more scholarships and work-study opportunities. The focus is on preparing students for successful careers.
