Florida
Out-of-State Tuition Hikes Approved at Florida Universities: What It Means for Northwest Florida
University of Central Florida trustees approved raising the out-of-state fee imposed on non-resident students by 15% Thursday, following suit of universities across the state. Last year, the State University System Board of Governors gave universities permission to raise out-of-state tuition…
Key points
- Out-of-state tuition at UCF will rise by 15%, impacting non-resident students.
- The increase comes after a long period without tuition hikes for out-of-state students since 2012.
- Local families may face higher education costs, influencing enrollment decisions in Northwest Florida.
NewsWK — In a significant move affecting higher education in Florida, the University of Central Florida (UCF) has approved a 15% increase in out-of-state tuition fees for non-resident students, aligning with similar decisions made by universities statewide. This change follows a recent authorization from the State University System Board of Governors, allowing a total increase of 25% over two years for out-of-state students across all 12 state universities.
Notably, the approved increases come after a long period without adjustments, as Florida‘s out-of-state tuition rates had remained unchanged since 2012. The changes will specifically impact undergraduate students from outside Florida, adding approximately $88 per credit hour. This adjustment brings the annual cost of attendance for out-of-state students at UCF from $24,076 to $26,732.
For local residents in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, this rise in tuition fees could influence the decisions of families considering higher education for their children. The increases may deter some non-resident students from applying to local institutions, potentially affecting the diversity of the student body and the financial landscape of universities like UWF and PSC.
Bert Francis, UCF’s interim vice president and chief financial officer, acknowledged the significance of the increase, stating, “We recognize that any increase at all in the cost of attendance is meaningful to our students and their families.” The additional revenue is expected to support faculty salaries and instructional support.
The recent tuition hikes have sparked discussions among students. Dylan Beaudreau, a UCF out-of-state student, suggested that such increases should allow for more notice, stating that students should not face substantial cost increases after committing to a program. The recent tuition adjustments at UCF, Florida State University, and the University of Florida underscore a trend that could impact future enrollment and the financial commitments of families across Northwest Florida.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting by Jay Waagmeester originally published by Florida Phoenix. Read the original story.
