- The University of Utah will hold a hearing over proposed tuition increases on March 4.
- Proposed tuition hikes for 2026-27 range from 1.57% to 5%.
- A fee cut recommendation may decrease semester costs by 4.31%.
SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah is holding a truth in tuition hearing next month in its first step toward determining tuition and fee increases for the upcoming academic year.
The annual meeting, set for March 4, is required for all Utah System of Higher Education institutions. The hearing is followed by a U. board of trustees vote on the proposed adjustments, then followed by the Utah Board of Higher Education on March 27.
Specifically, the proposed tuition increase for 2026-27 is between 1.57% and 5%. For a full-time resident undergraduate student taking 15 credit hours, that increase could range from $85.16 to $271.22 per semester.
But U. spokeswoman Rebecca Walsh said that despite the range reaching 5%, she doesn't expect the increase to be that high.
"I think they are just giving themselves wiggle room until the session is over. When the budgets are set at the state, then we know what our exact amount is," Walsh said. "It's a really broad range right now, and it'll narrow down."
She added that the number will be updated before the hearing once the university has a better idea of the range.
Last year, the university originally proposed a tuition increase of between 1.75% and 5% for 2025-26, before ultimately settling on a net tuition and fee increase of 2.1%.
The general student fee is proposed to remain steady, according to a release from the university. Additionally, if a recommendation to cut a specific fee by 20% is approved, the $554.74 total per semester will decrease by $23.89 to $530.85, a 4.31% decrease.
Walsh said the hearing will be a webinar format, where trustees will answer pre-submitted questions. A presentation will explain how student fees and tuition are used at the U. to cover operating costs of the university that are not covered by other resources.
Members of the community interested in attending can register here.
"We are committed to ensuring that an education at the U. is accessible and affordable while delivering the high-quality teaching, support and campus experience that students and their families expect," Associate Vice President of Finance for Academic Enterprise Kimie Adamson said in a statement. "Rising costs, compensation challenges and funding pressures require us to be innovative in removing barriers to student success while maintaining academic excellence."
"Through thoughtful planning and collaboration, we remain focused on easing financial burdens while preserving a dynamic and high-quality learning environment for students," Adamson added.
Last year, tuition jumped at all eight Utah System of Higher Education institutions.
