Durham, N.C. — Duke University announced that trustees approved a 3.9 percent rise in undergraduate tuition Saturday, one of the smallest increases in recent years.

Undergraduate tuition for 2009-20010 will be $37,485. The total cost of attendance, including room,board and fees, will be $49,895, also a 3.9 percent rise.

Graduate tuition increases ranged from 2.2 percent for the Nicholas School of the Environment to 9.3 percent for the School of Nursing.

University officials said they are sensitive to economic problems being experienced by many students' families.

"We remain, therefore, committed especially in these economic times to ensuring that a Duke education is accessible and affordable, regardless of a person's financial circumstances," said Provost Peter Lange, the university’s senior academic officer.

Last year, undergraduate tuition rose by 4.8 percent. The university also increased its financial aid spending by 17 percent last year to keep its pledge to meet 100 percent of all demonstrated financial need for all students.

The 2009-2010 tuition rates for graduate and professional schools run:

• Divinity School – $17,150, up 3.5 percent
• Fuqua School of Business – $45,850 (daytime MBA), up 4 percent
• Graduate School -- $37,640 (Ph.D. programs), up 4 percent
• Law School – $44,480, up 5.5 percent
• Nicholas School of the Environment – $28,200, up 2.2 percent
• School of Medicine – $42,771, up 4 percent
• School of Nursing – $40,320, up 9.3 percent
• Pratt School of Engineering – $36,300 (MEM program), up 4 percent