News Summary
The Florida Board of Governors has approved a 10% tuition increase for out-of-state students at public universities, marking the first increase in over a decade. Starting in fall 2025, further increases could reach 15% in fall 2026. This decision aims to maintain a balance between in-state and out-of-state enrollments, as Florida still has some of the lowest tuition rates in the nation for out-of-state students. The increase will provide financial predictability and generate substantial annual revenue for the universities.
Tallahassee, Florida – The Florida Board of Governors has approved a tuition hike for out-of-state students attending public universities, marking the first increase in over a decade. Beginning in the fall of 2025, out-of-state tuition is set to rise by 10%, with potential increases of 15% in the fall of 2026. This unanimous decision was made during a meeting held on Wednesday and requires final approval from individual university boards of trustees.
The proposed increase comes as Florida’s public universities work to maintain their balance between in-state and out-of-state enrollments, which currently contain approximately 33,000 undergraduate and 25,000 graduate students that represent a substantial portion of the student body. Notably, out-of-state tuition and fees at Florida universities are currently the third lowest in the United States, averaging $21,690 for the 2023-2024 academic year. This figure is approximately 28% lower than the national average of $30,140.
Alan Levine, a member of the Board of Governors and proponent of the hike, pointed out that while Florida’s overall costs for obtaining a degree are among the most affordable in the nation, the increases would provide financial predictability for out-of-state students. According to estimates, a modest 5% increase in tuition would generate nearly $24.2 million annually, while a full 15% increase could yield up to $72.5 million.
Despite the uniform vote in favor of the increases, there were voices of dissent. Board member Eric Silagy expressed concerns regarding specific schools that may not fully comply with state laws governing tuition offsets for out-of-state students. Many public institutions in Florida vary significantly in their tuition rates per credit hour, with the University of South Florida charging $346.50, while the University of Florida charges $707.21—the highest in the state. The statewide average tuition stands at $491.90 per credit hour.
Florida’s universities have not raised tuition rates for out-of-state students since the last increase in 2012, and Florida State University has not adjusted its tuition since 2004. There are further legislative discussions ongoing regarding tuition rates for undocumented students, also known as Dreamers, who have benefited from in-state tuition rates since 2014. Changes to this policy are also under consideration.
The potential adjustment in tuition rates comes as part of efforts to ensure that in-state students are not sidelined in favor of higher-paying out-of-state students. The law limits annual tuition hikes for both categories of students to 15%. This policy aims to prevent what is commonly referred to as “sticker shock,” where sudden increases in tuition could deter current and prospective students from continuing or pursuing their education in Florida.
Moreover, the responsibility of determining the specific increases for individual institutions will rest with the respective university boards. These boards are obliged to report their decisions to Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, providing a framework for transparency and accountability in the process. As universities navigate these proposed changes, they are also urged to maintain their existing ratios of in-state to out-of-state students, ensuring that educational opportunities for Floridians remain prioritized.
In summary, the upcoming tuition hikes represent a significant shift in Florida’s approach to higher education funding and tuition costs for out-of-state students. As discussions continue about these changes, they are likely to impact many students and families across the state.
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Additional Resources
- My News 13
- Wikipedia: Out-of-state tuition
- Spectrum Local News
- Google Search: Florida tuition hike
- NBC Miami
- Google Scholar: Florida tuition hike
- Florida Phoenix
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tuition in Florida
