Iowa regents give preliminary approval to tuition hike for state's 3 public universities

Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register
Updated ·4 min read

Students at the three public universities in Iowa are likely to see an increase in tuition and fees for the upcoming school year.

The Iowa Board of Regents on Friday gave preliminary approval Friday to the higher tuition and mandatory fees for the 2024-2025 school year for undergraduate and grad students at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa.

The regents will take a final vote when they next meet June 11-13.

Last year, the regents agreed to raise tuition at all three universities by 3.5% for undergraduate students. So how much could tuition increase this year?

Why is the Iowa Board of Regents proposing another tuition hike?

The regent universities are feeling the pressures of inflation. The proposed increase reflects the potential rise in costs the universities could face in the coming year.

"Inflation impacts higher education in the same manner it affects other segments of the economy," said the proposal included in the regents' Friday agenda.

In addition, Iowa lawmakers rejected the regents' full funding request for the 2024-2025 academic year. The board asked for an extra $14.8 million in general university appropriations. Instead, the Legislature agreed to increase funding by $12.3 million, or 2.5%.

How much could tuition increase for undergraduates at Iowa's public universities?

In-state resident undergraduates at Iowa State and the University of Iowa could find themselves paying 3% more in tuition. This amounts to a $270 increase for the 2024-2025 school year. Non-residents at the University of Iowa will see the smallest percentage increase at 1.3%, or an extra $395.

Non-residential students at Iowa State face the highest potential increase at $1,178 or 4.5%.

The University of Northern Iowa has proposed a 2% increase for all undergraduate students. This amounts to $168 more for residents and $400 more for non-residents.

What are the proposed 2024-2025 undergraduate tuition rates for the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa?

Here are the proposed tuition rates for the Regent Universities for undergraduate students in the 2024-2025 academic year:

University of Iowa

  • Residents: $9,286 up from $9,016

  • Non-residents: $31,374 up from $30,979

Iowa State University

  • Residents: $9,252 up from $8,982

  • Non-residents: $27,346 up from $26,168

University of Northern Iowa

  • Residents: $8,564 up from $8,396

  • Non-residents: $ 20,340 up from $19,940

How much could tuition increase for graduate students at Iowa's public universities?

Graduate students at Iowa State University face the highest percentage increase, but will still pay less in tuition than the University of Iowa. Non-residents and in-state students at ISU could pay an extra 4.5% on their U-bill in the coming academic year. That amounts to an extra $496 for resident students and $1,254 for non-residential students at Iowa State University.

Resident and non-residential graduate students at the University of Iowa face the same dollar amount increase for their tuition. Both could see their bills increase by $394, with in-state students potentially seeing a 3.5% increase while non-residents face a 1.3% increase.

University of Northern Iowa graduate students will also see the same percentage increase, potentially going up by 2%. This could amount to an extra $200 for residential students and $430 for non-residential students.

What are the proposed graduate tuition rates at Iowa's public universities?

University of Iowa

  • Residents: $11,650 up from $11,256

  • Non-residents: $30,597 up from $30,203

Iowa State University

  • Residents: $11,492 up from $10,996

  • Non-residents: $29,102 up from $27,848

University of Northern Iowa

  • Residents: $10,230 up from $10,030

  • Non-residents: $21,932 up from $21,502

Could Iowa's public universities increase mandatory fees for the 2024-2025 school year?

Paying for classes isn't the only expense students have to budget for. All students pay mandatory fees to provide campus services including health care, technology, mental health resources and student activities. Each university has varying fees and services catered to students, but all three schools are asking for more money from students to cover the expected costs.

Potential fee increases for the 2024-2025 school year

University of Iowa:

  • Proposed increase: 2.5% or $49, to a total of $1,997

Iowa State University

  • Proposed increase: 1.3% or $20, to a total of $1,534

University of Northern Iowa

  • Proposed increase: 3% or $40, , to a total of $1,534

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State, UI, UNI could cost more next year. Here's how much