Trustees Vote to Increase Tuition Across University of Alabama System

The Board of Trustees over the University of Alabama System voted Friday to raise tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state students on its campuses in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Huntsville.

It marks just the second time in seven years that rates have increased for in-state students at the University of Alabama here in Tuscaloosa, and the third time in the same period at UAB and UAH.

The cost of tuition for out-of-state students has risen more consistently year-to-year, except during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Trustees opted to keep tuition level in the 2021 and 2022 academic years.

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At each of the three Universities, the Board voted to increase tuition for in-state students by 2.5 percent for the 2024 2025 academic year - an average hike of about $130 per semester for a full-time student enrolled in 15 hours of classes.

The far-more-expensive out-of-state rates are going up by 3 percent at UA and UAB, and by 4 percent at UAH, raising the cost of a 15-hour semester to more than $12,000 in Huntsville, over $14,000 in Birmingham and nearly $17,000 in Tuscaloosa.

Dr. Dana Keith, the System's Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, described the measures as "slight changes in tuition rates at our three Universities."

"We have thoroughly vetted and benchmarked these adjustments to our peer institutions to ensure our university's tuition rates remain at or below average amongst our peers," she said. "The University of Alabama System is deeply committed to providing the most accessible path to a premiere education experience."

She noted that at least six other colleges and universities across Alabama have already announced tuition hikes that were also in the range of a 2-4 percent increase.

Keith said the revenue generated by the higher tuition costs will primarily be spent on the well-being and academic success of students, the recruitment, retention and benefits for employees and to fund insurance and IT software subscriptions on the operations side.

"Any time there is a proposed change, it is necessary to advance our systemwide commitment to academic excellence, ensure financial stability and manage increasing costs," she said.

The Board's Finance Committee recommended the increases on Thursday afternoon, which were adopted without further comment during the full board meeting on Friday morning.