UC Regents to consider another tuition hike

September 13, 2011

University of California regents are expected to consider a proposal Thursday that would raise student tuition by at least 8 percent—and as much as 16 percent. [San Francisco Chronicle]

Basic tuition could top $22,000 in just four years, not including other mandatory fees, books, room and board, if the regents adopt the idea at their November meeting as part of a multi-year budget plan. Undergraduate tuition is currently $12,192.

UC officials say the hikes will help cover $2.5 billion in additional funds the university needs to pay its bills and grow enrollment over the next four years.

But the size of the new annual increases would depend entirely on how much more money the state is able to give UC each year, if any. This year, for example, California reduced its allocation to UC by $650 million, and it expects to withhold even more money next winter unless the state’s revenue picture improves.

Under UC’s proposal to the Board of Regents, tuition would rise no more than 8 percent in a year if the state also gave an 8 percent increase. But if the state gave, say, 4 percent, tuition would grow 12 percent. If the state gave nothing, tuition would increase by the full 16 percent.

If the regents, meeting in San Francisco, approve the plan, UC expects to approach the state to negotiate a formal funding agreement.