The University of California has announced a significant increase in tuition for out-of-state undergraduate students who will be entering the university in the upcoming fall semester. The tuition hike, approved by a key board of regents committee, amounts to $3,402, bringing the total cost of tuition for nonresident students to $52,536.
However, incoming California residents will not be affected by this policy. They will still face inflation-based increases that were previously approved by UC. The total tuition for California residents for the next academic year will be around $14,934, excluding campus fees.
The supplemental tuition charged to UC’s nonresident undergraduates will see a 9.9% increase, going from $34,200 to $37,602. This supplemental fee is in addition to the base tuition that in-state students are required to pay. The total tuition of $52,536 for nonresidents will remain fixed for up to six years for the incoming cohort.
Despite opposition from student leaders, the policy is expected to be approved by UC’s full board of regents after clearing the finance and capital strategies committee. Nonresident students made up 16.6% of UC’s total undergraduate enrollment in the fall of 2023, with over 38,000 students coming from other states and nations.
UC has been directed by state lawmakers to reduce the enrollment of nonresident students at certain campuses like Berkeley, Los Angeles, and San Diego, replacing them with Californian students. The tuition hike is currently a one-time increase, but UC may consider further raises for future entering classes based on budget needs.
The rationale behind the tuition increase, according to UC’s chief financial officer Nathan Brostrom, is the challenging budget outlook for the university in the coming years. UC has been asked to prepare for significant annual budget cuts starting in 2025-26. Comparatively, UC’s nonresident tuition fees are lower than those of peer institutions in Virginia and Michigan.
The increase in nonresident tuition is aimed at supporting core operations in light of anticipated state budget cuts. While the cost of UC’s supplemental nonresident tuition has been steadily increasing over the years, the approved hike represents the largest of these hikes. The regents approved the increase by a voice vote, with no objections raised.
Despite opposition from students like Eduardo Tapia and Francis Villanueva, who expressed concerns about accessibility to higher education and affordability, the tuition hike was approved. Brostrom acknowledged the students’ passion but noted that UC’s nonresident students tend to come from higher income brackets and are not eligible for certain financial aid programs available to California residents.
In conclusion, the tuition hike for nonresident students at the University of California reflects the institution’s efforts to navigate budget challenges and maintain operational efficiency while ensuring continued access to quality education for all students.
