The cost of room, board, tuition and fees will be going up at Lindenwood University.

Lindenwood spokesman Scott Queen said the price increase, which was approved by the school's board of directors, was necessary because of an increase in expenses for the school.

"It is still well below the 5 percent increase in costs Lindenwood has experienced this past year," Queen said of the higher prices.

"We are still a great value among private institutions."

Lindenwood President James Evans said the school would absorb the rest of the increased operating costs.

For traditional undergraduate resident students at Lindenwood, costs will increase 3.4 percent in the fall of 2013 to $22,940 per year from their 2012 level of $22,180 per year.

Undergraduate students in Lindenwood's accelerated evening program will see a 4.1 percent tuition increase in tuition. Graduate students will see a 3.9 percent increase in graduate tuition.

Starting in the summer 2013 quarter, the cost of a nine-hour cluster of undergraduate courses will be $3,186 per quarter, an increase of $126. The cost of a nine-hour cluster of graduate courses will be $3,852, an increase of $144.

The increased prices will affect students at all Lindenwood campuses including its main location in St. Charles and its rapidly growing Belleville location.

Contact reporter Scott Wuerz at swuerz@bnd.com or call 618-239-2626.