On March 5, the University of Utah hosted its annual Truth in Tuition hearing, where tuition and fee adjustments are determined for the upcoming academic school year. This yearly hearing is held by the U to provide transparency about potential changes in tuition and fees. The U’s Board of Trustees will vote on these proposals March 24.

The proposed tuition increase for the 2025-26 school year is between 1.75% and 5%. Regardless of the percentage the Board of Trustees decides on later in the month, there will be an increase in tuition if this adjustment is approved. 

“Every year, there is our state’s legislative session, and there are a few things that they typically mandate that we increase,” said Jason Atuaia, associate vice president for budget and finance at the U. “Everyone has been hit by inflation, so there’s a lot of rising costs that have occurred over time that we’re trying to catch up with in order to maintain or exceed the current quality.” 

Along with this tuition increase, there is a proposed increase in general student fees. The amount being presented to the trustees is 1.4%. However, this increase could not occur if it is recommended to move four student fees into the tuition balance and eliminate one fee entirely. 

Currently, there are 14 student fees in place, but if this recommendation goes through, there would only be nine. This would be a 10.5% decrease in student fees.

Atuaia said that in accordance with and prior to these hearings, a General Student Fees Advisory Board meets to discuss these proposals. There are nine members, including students. Three students on the board are from the Associated Students of the University of Utah. Atuaia added that he co-chairs this board along with the president of the ASUU student body. 

“All 14 existing fees were reviewed. If anyone requests a new fee — there were no new fee requests this year — but if anyone requests the fee, it needs to go through the General Student Fees Advisory Board,” Atuaia said.

In this year’s hearing, some of the recommended fee increases revolved around health services and student activities. During the hearing, Joe Boyden, ASUU president, explained that they are requesting that four student fees be moved to tuition. They also recommended that the sustainability fee be eliminated. 

“We would like the services to be continued by requesting that university find internal resources to support this service without increasing tuition,” Boyden said.

With these proposed increases, student fees would be $8.50 more per semester.

Specific colleges at the U are also facing their own potential increases. The graduate program at the David Eccles School of Business has proposed a tuition increase of approximately 6.9% starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.

The College of Nursing is also requesting a differential tuition increase, which is an additional, program-specific charge placed on base tuition to cover costs for programs and their administration. This differential increase would replace program fees for nursing undergraduate courses, explained Atuaia. This means that this college’s tuition differential would increase to $126 per credit hour and that there would be an elimination of the program fee.

The College of Science has requested to increase their tuition differential by $25 per credit hour.

“The additional tuition revenue will be used to support student programs that enhance student success metrics, such as GPA and time to graduate,” Atuaia said during the hearing.

After this hearing on March 5, the approved adjustments will go to the Utah Board of Higher Education to make the final decision. The board’s meeting will be held on March 24.

“I think in the end, Truth in Tuition is a good way for students to attend and be informed on any proposed increases for the upcoming year,” said Atuaia. 

But, there are students who have concerns about a potential increase in fees and tuition.

“I’m not sure why student fees aren’t included in tuition right now. However, would the decrease in fees outweigh the increase in tuition? Probably not. It feels like a trick to make you believe you’ll pay less,” said Cale Moylan, a sophomore studying biochemistry.

These public hearings to raise tuition are mandated by state law and have happened yearly since 2001. The Utah System of Higher Education requires all 16 degree-seeking and technical colleges within the state to present any fee or tuition adjustments proposed for the next academic year. 

t.sorensen@dailyutahchronicle.com

@teannaJsorensen