KU tuition proposal balances affordability, quality

TOPEKA – Two-thirds of returning University of Kansas undergraduates will see no tuition increase, while costs will rise by 3.6 percent for incoming freshmen and all other students under the university’s 2015-16 tuition proposal approved by the Kansas Board of Regents today.

“Tuition is often a balancing act between affordability and quality,” said Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little. “Our goal is to remain affordable and accessible while also ensuring we have the resources to provide students the education and opportunities they expect from a flagship research university. We believe we continue to strike the appropriate balance, as evidenced by our freshman class size increasing for three straight years and our enrollment being the highest of any Regents institution.”

KU continues to offer incoming students a Four-Year Tuition Compact, which guarantees students a fixed rate of tuition for four years.

Funds raised by the tuition proposal will address mandatory cost increases in existing operations and fund critical salary needs.

Out of the 34 public universities in the Association of American Universities, this year KU’s tuition and fees ranked 10th lowest. KU’s tuition is also very much in line with other state universities in the region, including Colorado, Texas, Missouri and Texas Tech.

Overall state funding for KU remains below pre-recession levels in both actual and inflation-adjusted dollars. In recent years, state funding has fallen to about 20 percent of KU’s total revenue.

Proposals at both campuses were developed with direct student involvement, with students serving on the Tuition Advisory Committees that proposed the rates.