Coppin State University Lowers Costs for Residential Students Amid Rising Higher Education Expenses

As colleges and universities across Maryland and the nation continue to raise costs for students and families, Coppin State University, Maryland's most affordable university, is lowering costs for residential students through a series of strategic affordability measures designed to reduce expenses while continuing to invest in academic excellence, student success, and institutional growth.

Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, residential students and their families will benefit from a 12% reduction in board plan costs through a newly negotiated food service agreement. The university also will not increase mandatory student fees, helping to ease the financial burden on students and families at a time when the cost of higher education continues to rise.

Key Cost Changes for Residential Students

• Board plan rates will decrease by approximately 12% through a newly negotiated food service agreement.
  
  
• Mandatory student fees will remain unchanged.

University leaders say the reduction is the result of strong strategic financial management, operational efficiencies, and a continued commitment to affordability.

"When was the last time you heard of a university lowering costs? This is about putting students first," said Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins, president of Coppin State University. "At a time when families are facing rising costs for food, housing, transportation, and other necessities, we are doing everything we can to make college more affordable. Higher education remains one of the most powerful pathways to opportunity, and we want to ensure that cost is not a barrier to our students' success."

Coppin Continues to Lead on Affordability

The reduction in board plan costs further strengthens Coppin's position as Maryland's most affordable university. Following the new food service agreement, Coppin's annual board cost will be approximately $4,875, lower than every four-year public institution in Maryland.

Annual Board Costs at Maryland Public Universities

Institution	Annual Board Cost
Coppin State University	$4,875
University of Maryland Eastern Shore	$5,294
Frostburg State University	$6,010
Salisbury University	$6,130
Towson University	$6,290
University of Maryland, Baltimore County	$6,522
Bowie State University	$6,564
University of Maryland, College Park	$6,820
Morgan State University	$6,875

"Affordability is one of the most important factors influencing whether students enroll, persist, and ultimately graduate," said Dr. James Stewart, Associate Vice President for Student Development and Achievement. "When institutions reduce financial barriers, students are better positioned to focus on their academics, engage in campus life, and complete their degrees without the constant burden of financial stress. At Coppin, affordability is directly connected to student success. It supports recruitment, strengthens retention, and creates opportunities for students to move confidently toward graduation and meaningful careers."

Student Success and Affordability Initiatives

The affordability measures complement several additional student success initiatives designed to help students reduce the cost of earning a degree.

Summer SOAR

• Students who successfully complete 30 semester credit hours during the academic year are eligible to receive up to six credit hours of free summer tuition.
  
  
• The program helps students accelerate progress toward graduation at little additional cost.

Expand Eagle Nation

• Provides in-state tuition rates to students from states with two or fewer Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
  
  
• Expands access to a Coppin education for students nationwide.

Enrollment and Student Success Highlights

Coppin's affordability efforts are designed to reduce costs, minimize student debt, increase degree completion, expand access and opportunity, and propel students toward economic mobility.

More students and families from across the country are choosing Coppin. The university is the fastest-growing institution in Greater Baltimore and Maryland's leading HBCU for male enrollment growth.

Recent achievements include:

• A record 24,000 undergraduate applications, the highest number in institutional history.
  
  
• A 75% retention rate, the highest in university history.
  
  
• A 77% male retention rate, the highest in university history and significantly above the national average for Black male students.

"Higher education remains one of the greatest pathways to economic mobility," Jenkins said. "Coppin continues to demonstrate what is possible when a university is committed to expanding access, putting students first, and preparing graduates for meaningful careers and lifelong achievement. We are standing on a promise made 126 years ago: to nurture potential and transform lives."

Revitalized community garden opens on campus of Coppin State

Leaders from the American Heart Association, Coppin State University and the University of Maryland Medical System recently celebrated the opening of the revitalized community garden on Coppin State's campus.

The revitalization of the Coppin State garden is a significant milestone in the American Heart Association’s efforts to enhance nutrition security and support access to healthy food in under-resourced urban and rural communities in Maryland.

“As the American Heart Association embarks on its Second Century, our commitment to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere remains unwavering. One crucial way we achieve this is by addressing food and nutrition insecurity in our communities,” Tracy Brazelton, Executive Director, American Heart Association, Baltimore & Greater Maryland division, stated.

“A healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables is a proven path to strong cardiovascular health and overall well-being. However, we must ensure that more people have access to these nutritious foods to help prevent chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke,” she added.

The community garden at Coppin State University will provide access to fresh produce that may be hard to find or expensive in local stores, helping to overcome barriers to healthy eating.

Coppin administration plans to make fresh produce from the garden available at its on-campus food resource center, Coppin Corner. Launched in spring 2023, Coppin Corner provides essential food and supplies to all students.

“The Community Garden will do more than just supply fresh, campus-grown produce. It also offers students valuable opportunities to engage in nutrition education, participate in service-learning projects, and become actively involved in the gardening process. This collaboration enhances both their academic experience and promotes healthy lifestyle choices, fostering their holistic development,” said Dorothy Parrish-Harris, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at Coppin State University.

This project marks the first of several AHA community gardens to be launched or revitalized with support from University of Maryland Medical System.

“At University of Maryland Medical System, we are committed to the health of our communities. That means not just addressing physical health, but addressing social determinants of health like nutrition security,” said Dr. Esa Davis, Associate Vice President for Community Health at UMMS.

“Nutrition security goes beyond simply having enough food; it encompasses access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally appropriate foods that support overall health and well-being,” she added.

In Baltimore, approximately 22.2% of residents are food insecure, equating to an annual meal gap of 24 million meals, according to Maryland Hunger Solutions, highlighting the urgent need for initiatives that address nutrition security and promote equitable access to healthy foods.

Plans are underway to open gardens in southern Harford County by spring 2025 and the Eastern Shore in 2026.

Coppin State University honors namesake with monument

Coppin State University honored the woman it was named after, Fanny Jackson Coppin with a statue.

Laura Harper named as new head wbb coach Laura Harper Selected as Coppin State Women’s Basketball Head Coach

Former WNBA player, Laura Harper, has been named as the new Coppin State University women's basketball head coach, it was announced by Director of Athletics Derek Carter on Monday morning.

"It is a dream come true to be named the new head women's basketball coach at Coppin State University," said Harper. "I am very thankful for the special opportunity that President Jenkins, Mr. Carter, Mrs. Person and Mrs. Carrington-Johnson have granted me. Having a platform as a woman of color, while coaching at an HBCU during this racially sensitive time in our country, inspires me, and I am beyond ready to help lead this group of committed, young women into a new era of Eagles basketball."

Since the conclusion of her playing career, Harper worked as an assistant coach at four NCAA Division I institutions as well as a season as head coach at a top collegiate preparatory school.

"We are excited for Laura Harper to be joining the Coppin State family and look forward to her leadership during the next exciting phase of Eagles women's basketball," said Carter. "Laura will bring incredible passion, energy, and a championship mentality to our team. Throughout her career, she has worked hard to establish herself as a winner in all phases of basketball. I feel that she will provide a valuable influence in the lives of the young women in our program."

Harper most recently served as the head coach at Montverde Academy, one of the premier high school programs in the State of Florida. Harper guided the Eagles to an 18-6 mark this past season and helped all five of her seniors earn NCAA Division I scholarships.

Prior to her time at Montverde, Harper assisted the women's basketball team at the University of Florida for two seasons. Under Harpers' tutelage, Paulina Hersler, who is now playing professionally in Sweden, and 1,200-point scorer Haley Lorenzen, had career years as seniors.

Before moving to the Sunshine State, Harper spent the 2016-17 season at George Washington University under Women's Basketball Hall of Famer Jennifer Rizzotti. That season, the Colonials won an Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship and advanced to the WNIT, while Harper helped post players Lexi Martins and Caira Washington receive All-Conference honors.

For two years, Harper also worked as an assistant coach at High Point University. In her first season, senior Stacia Robertson was named the Big South Player of the Year and an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American before going on to play overseas. The Panthers won 20 games during the 2014-15 season and advanced to the Conference Championship Game.

Harper got her start in coaching as an assistant at Loyola University Maryland during the 2013-14 campaign where she was responsible for post player development, scouting, and served as an academic liaison for the Greyhounds.

A four-year standout at the University of Maryland, Harper was named the 2006 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading the Terrapins to a National Championship. Harper was also part of two Maryland teams that advanced to the Elite Eight, a 2007 Naismith Award Finalist and a two-time Naismith Award Preseason Candidate. As a senior, Harper was a Third Team All-ACC honoree and Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American. Harper still owns the Maryland record with 198 blocked shots while scoring 1,407 points and ranked seventh in rebounds upon graduation before being named to the 2014 ACC Legends Class.

On February 5, 2009, Harper's No. 15 jersey was raised to the rafters at the Xfinity Center following a game against North Carolina State.

Also, a presence on the international scene, Harper was a starter for the 2004 USA Women's U18 team which won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship. Harper also played for the 2007 FIBA U21 World Championship Team and was a teammate of Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi and other Olympians at the 2008 Good Luck Beijing Tournament.

Following her collegiate career, Harper was the 10th overall selection of the Sacramento Monarchs in the 2008 WNBA Draft. As a rookie, Harper played in 34 games while making one start and put up 5.5 points and 4.0 rebounds before starting in 11 games the following season. Harper also played professionally overseas in Turkey, Italy and Russia.