The presidents of Arizona’s three public universities released their tuition proposals for the 2017-18 academic year on Friday, and students will once again face increased costs. All three universities are proposing either increased tuition or increased fees or both.
ASU proposal:
Resident undergraduate students will see a a $150 tuition increase. Tuition, surcharge and mandatory fees would increase from $10,640 to $10,792.
Resident graduate students will see a $160 increase, with total tuition, surcharge and mandatory fees increasing from $11,776 to $11,938.
No change is proposed for the resident surcharge or mandatory fees. Arizona Financial Aid Trust Fees, a statutory calculation, will increase by $2 on all tuition categories.
Non-resident undergraduates and graduates will see a tuition increase of $900 and $990, respectively. Non-resident undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees will increase from $26,470 to $27,372 and non-resident graduates from $28,882 to $29,874.
For international undergraduate and graduate students, the proposed increase in tuition is $1,240 for undergraduate and $1,350 for graduate students. Tuition and mandatory fees for international undergraduate students will increase from $28,270 to $29,512 and from $30,682 to $32,034 for international graduate students.
In September of 2015, while demanding more money from the Legislature, the Arizona Board of Regents raised the salaries of all three university presidents. Arizona State University President Michael Crow received a $150,000 raise for the 2015 fiscal year for a total compensation of nearly $1 million. University of Arizona President Ann Weaver Hart received an increase of $115,000 for a total compensation of approximately $753,700. Northern Arizona President Rita Cheng received an increase of $40,000 for a total compensation of approximately $560,200.
UofA proposal:
For all entering resident and nonresident, undergraduate and graduate students in 2017-2018, the UA has proposed a tuition increase of 1 percent and an increase in some mandatory fees:
● Information Technology/Libraries, an increase of $55 to $535, directed to wireless connectivity upgrades, and digital tools and software for students (first increase in four years)
● Health and Recreation, an increase of $125 to $425, dedicated to expanded campus health services (medical and psychiatric) and recreational center facilities and programming (first increase in seven years)
● Student Services, an increase of $70 to $150, for additional retention, graduation and career initiatives (first increase in nine years
There will be no increase in tuition and mandatory fees for the 92 percent of current University of Arizona undergraduates whose tuition and mandatory fees already are locked in under the UA’s Guaranteed Tuition Plan.
A new fee to support athletics programs, facilities and improvement of the student and fan experience will be $100 for incoming undergraduate students and $50 for incoming graduate students.
Incoming graduate students will be able to opt out of the fee. Graduate students who choose to pay the fee will receive free admission to all sporting events other than men’s basketball.
Undergraduate students will receive free admission to all sporting events other than football and men’s basketball.
The Zona Zoo membership program for football and men’s basketball will remain.
The proposed plan for incoming students freezes tuition and mandatory fees at $12,228 for Arizona residents and $35,658 for nonresident undergraduates for eight semesters of continuous enrollment.
NAU proposal:
Fall tuition for incoming undergraduates and all graduate students includes an increase. If approved, total tuition and mandatory fees for incoming resident undergraduate students starting on the Flagstaff campus in fall 2017 would be $11,059, with the base tuition guaranteed for four years. NAU changes include:
Flagstaff campus
- New resident undergraduate students: $11,059
- New nonresident undergraduate students: $24,841
- Resident graduate students: $10,261 ($272 increase)
- Nonresident graduate students: $22,609 ($632 increase)
NAU-Yuma
- Resident undergraduate students: $7,867 ($359 increase)
- Nonresident undergraduate students: $21,015 ($605 increase)
- Resident graduate students: $9,651 ($273 increase)
- Nonresident graduate students: $21,999 ($633 increase)
NAU Statewide
- Resident undergraduate students: $7,867 ($220 increase)
- Nonresident undergraduate students: $21,015 ($604 increase)
- Resident graduate students: $9,651 ($272 increase)
- Nonresident graduate students: $21,999 ($632 increase)
Personalized Learning
- Personalized Learning: $3,000/six-month subscription (no change)
- Personalized Learning-RN to BSN program: $3,750/six-month subscription (no change)
Online
- Undergraduate
- $425 per credit hour for 9 credit hours and below; at 10 credit hours and above, per credit hour increments will be $125 per credit hour
- Graduate
- $550 per credit hour for 9 credit hours and below; at 10 credit hours and above, per credit hour increments will be $200 per credit hour
NAU-Yavapai
- Resident undergraduate students: $6,315 ($472 increase)
- Nonresident undergraduate students: $17,903 ($1,387 increase)
Next on the tuition-setting calendar
The Arizona Board of Regents will hold a public hearing for students and individuals to comment and provide feedback regarding the tuition proposals from 5-7 p.m. on March 28. Comments at the tuition hearing will be heard on a first-come, first-served basis at sites throughout the state.
On Thursday, March 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., ABOR will host a tuition workshop where the university presidents will present their proposals. The meeting will be held at the ASU Memorial Union, Turquoise Room.
On Thursday, April 6, the board is expected to set final tuition and fees for the 2017-18 academic year. The meeting will be held at the University of Arizona.
Public comment on tuition will not be taken at the March 30 or April 6 meetings given the statewide public hearings being held on March 28. Individuals may also send comments via e-mail to the Arizona Board of Regents at tuition@azregents.edu; by regular mail, at 2020 N. Central Ave., Suite 230, Phoenix, AZ 85004; or by fax at (602) 229-2555. Comments received prior to April 3 at 5 p.m. will be shared with the regents in advance of the April 6 meeting.