Tuition to increase by 3.36%

Utah State University President Brad L. Mortensen and USUSA President Brandon Sorensen announced an expected 3.36% tuition increase and a $145 student fee increase at the annual Truth-in-Tuition Hearing on March 2. The hearing was held in the Big Blue Room in the TSC and broadcast statewide. 

The tuition increase, which will amount to $4,804,500, is for faculty salary increases, health and dental benefits, internal service funds and 86 faculty promotions.

The tuition increase rate will be the same for undergraduate, graduate and online students. However, tuition will not increase for students at specific statewide campuses with under 65 credits.

According to Mortensen, there is typically an average of a 3.1% tuition increase, with inflation increasing about 3.5% per year. This is the third year in a row tuition has increased by roughly 3%.

Some areas of tuition will remain the same in the coming year, according to Mortensen.

“In the past, the differential tuition that gets charged for a number of our programs has gone up by the percentage of the general tuition increases, but we’re not doing that this year,” Mortensen said. “The differential tuition rates will remain the same per credit hour.” 

Some student fees may be moved into tuition in accordance with Utah System of Higher Education Policy R516, which is reviewed every five years. These fees include the $32.02 library fee and the $56.72 technology fee. This swap will not influence cost for students.  

The proposed increase in student fees is for Aggie Shuttle, campus recreation and athletics.

The largest fee increase will be for athletics, which comes after the announcement USU will be moving to the Pac-12 on July 1. 

“I know a lot of students feel like a big part of their collegiate experience is being able to participate and attend our athletic games, and we want to root for the winning team,” Mortensen said. “Unfortunately, in this environment, college athletics in 2026 just costs a lot of money. But at the same time, we know that puts a burden on all of our students who may not participate in that, so we’re trying to balance that as much as we can.”

The athletics fee is proposed to be a one-time increase that will be reevaluated next year. 

According to current USUSA Executive VP and USUSA President-elect Max Alder, who chairs the USU Student Fee Board, the increase for the Aggie Shuttle is to buy new buses. 
“These new buses are more expensive but are designed to last significantly longer and be much more ADA accessible,” Alder said. 

The campus recreation fees, according to Alder, are to allow for more student jobs, purchase more gym equipment and offer free fitness classes. 

“Right now, if you want to take a fitness class, you have to pay a small fee,” Alder said. “Because these classes are there for both the physical and mental health of students, we were more than happy to recommend this fee increase to support these programs.”

The hearing concluded with several questions from students in attendance and watching virtually, expressing concerns about how raising costs benefits athletes and faculty instead of the general student body.

“By offering a competitive salary and benefits packages to faculty and staff, we can retain the best people in order to help students have the best experience possible,” Mortensen said. 

Mortensen also said the state legislature funds 75% of the cost of salary and benefits, and only 25% is usually covered by tuition. 

The tuition increase will not be finalized until after the Utah Legislature General Session ends on March 6 and the USU Board of Trustees committee meeting on March 20. The final approval will be made by the Utah Board of Higher Education.