Mary Haley and Leyla J. Mercado, Marketing Chair/Asst. Features Editor & Arts and Entertainment Editor
Manhattan University is introducing two new programs for students to receive the most out of their undergraduate investments: the Jasper Guarantee, a plan for a fixed tuition rate, and the ARCH Innovation Exchange, a way for students to learn and develop skills from each of the three schools of the university.
The Jasper Guarantee, which will take effect for students entering undergrad in fall 2026, locks in tuition for eight consecutive semesters. This means students will know the full cost of their education from the moment they enroll. Steven Pugliese, Ph.D., vice president for enrollment management and marketing, explained that affordability concerns were central to the program’s creation.
“We have heard from many sources that the cost of attending higher education is most pressing for students and families,” Pugliese wrote in an email to The Quadrangle. “They want affordability and transparency in college education pricing. As we analyzed data from students who said they were either deferring enrollment to an institution of higher education or not coming to MU, cost was a determining factor. The administration felt that we must be proactive and bold in cost transparency, and we believe this will play a key role in recruiting prospective students.”
Pugliese shared that the Jasper Guarantee was developed over a four-month process involving senior leadership, financial modeling and data analysis. The plan was approved by the executive committee of the board over the summer.
Funding for the initiative draws from MU’s existing financial aid structure, endowed scholarships and alumni support. The program does not change existing merit or financial aid awards.
“Merit-based scholarships, institutional aid, and endowed scholarships will continue,” Pugliese wrote. “What it does do is provide additional dollars to defray tuition costs for students.”
Benjamin Boivin, director of undergraduate admissions, emphasized that the guarantee addresses a growing sense of distrust students and families feel toward higher education.
“Families sometimes feel like they’re being misled when tuition increases unexpectedly,” Boivin said. “This gives them a secure safety net.”
He noted that students could save over $12,000 over four years compared to schools that raise tuition annually.
These efforts follow a difficult period for Manhattan University, where in recent years the institution has faced budget cuts, enrollment declines and increased competition. By offering cost certainty, MU hopes to not only attract new students but also regain stability.
“This demonstrates our sensitivity to families’ financial means to afford a college education,” Pugliese wrote. “We want to be at the forefront of affordability in higher education.”
While the Jasper Guarantee focuses on financial transparency, the ARCH Innovation Exchange reflects a broader academic vision. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary education and preparing students for a rapidly changing job market, particularly with the rise of AI.
“We want our engineers to graduate with a liberal arts base, and our arts majors to graduate with an engineering base,” Boivin said. “That collaboration prepares students for the real world.”
Boivin added that both programs will be introduced through a first-year experience model, allowing students to transition smoothly into the university’s culture of innovation and support. As admissions teams bring these initiatives to prospective students across the U.S. and Canada, they signal MU’s renewed commitment to accessibility and long-term stability.
“At Manhattan, when the faculty see this place as home, which a lot of them do, they see their students as family,” Boivin said. “That’s the Manhattan difference.”
This focus on community extends beyond the classroom, shaping how MU considers student preparation.
According to manhattan.edu, the ARCH Innovation Exchange will bring in a unique interdisciplinary approach in order to better support students within the workspace. Bringing together key elements from each of MU’s schools of study, it’s intended to implement a skillset of variety that allows students to succeed within their prospective careers.
MU’s efforts regarding the ARCH program rely heavily on providing essential engineering and technical literacy, offering industry-recognized credentials from IBM in AI and data analytics and cybersecurity followed by internship opportunities. MU will further connect students with real-world challenges through the building of partnerships with leading organizations and corporations, while also providing the student body with mentorship, resourcing and funding. Outside experts from the world of the arts, academia and business will also be incorporated for the betterment of students.
Within the areas of data science, artificial intelligence, cyber security, analytics, design and engineering management, MU has put new academic programs into development.
According to manhattan.edu, President Frederick Bonato, Ph.D., hopes to impact Jaspers in a way that prepares them to work within any field.
“Students from across the country come to Riverdale to receive an exceptional education that jumpstarts successful careers, and ARCH will only improve our ability to develop well-rounded graduates who can problem solve through analytical rigor, creativity and ethical leadership,” Bonato said. “Rooted in our Lasallian mission of social impact through inclusive and transformational education, ARCH ensures Manhattan students are not only career-ready but future-ready and socially aware, prepared to lead with integrity and serve with purpose.”