By Parker Lymenstull

Inflation is running rampant in the United States, and it is hitting Quincy students not just in the grocery store but in the classroom as well.

Quincy University students were informed by President Brian McGee that there would be an increase in tuition costs for both the upcoming semester and next year of 2.75% and 8.9%, respectively.

While the tuition increase does not come as a surprise to many students due to rising inflation, it has caused them to reflect on their futures at QU. As students now have to contemplate not only if they can still afford their education but if the higher price tag on tuition at QU is still worth the education or if they should look elsewhere.

One of the students impacted by this increase in tuition is Rayn Sandoval, a sophomore at QU, who is paying for her college education out of pocket. For her, while the price increase next semester won’t stop her from attending QU, the increase next year will, and she knows she is not the only one who feels this way.

“The tuition price increase for next semester isn’t too much compared to the increase next year,” Sandoval said. “It is because of next year’s increase that I won’t be coming back to QU next year, and I know a few people that aren’t coming back next semester, but I also know way more people that are not coming back next year due to the price increase.”

On the other hand, there are students like Wesley Shelor, a junior who recently transferred to QU, that won’t let this price increase change their plans to attend QU. Even though it may cause a change in his lifestyle and how often he eats off campus, the education and degree he will get will make it worth it in the end.

“With the increase being what it is, I will have to tighten down on my activities by eating more food in the cafe and taking the shuttle more,” Shelor said. “But the prospects, the promise of a degree, a potential job, and the people are what is bringing me back because I know the education will be worth it. So if I have to cut some things out to accommodate, then so be it.”

But there are many students who are still on the fence about returning to QU this spring or next fall.

One of these students is Brenden Unseld, a sophomore at QU, who is waiting to see how QU uses the increased tuition for next year to improve other problems or issues that are already plaguing the campus before he makes a final decision about coming back for the next school year.

“The tuition increase will definitely hurt, and it makes my future at QU for next year very uncertain,” Unseld said. “But I will wait and see if this increased tuition, the school will focus more on addressing the issues with maintenance and renovating the dorms with that money rather than letting the same old issues continue to linger.”

While there is still uncertainty about students’ academic futures at QU and how inflation will continue to affect people all over the country, only one thing is for sure, the discussion over QU’s tuition increase will be on the minds of students for months to come.