HARRISBURG – The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) approved tuition rates for the 2025-26 academic year and would roll back the rate if the state provides sufficient funding as part of the current state budget negotiations.

Setting tuition now with the option to revisit the decision gives clarity to students who will start the semester next month and provides flexibility to state leaders as their budget negotiations continue.

After seven consecutive years of frozen tuition, PASSHE universities remain the most affordable four-year option in Pennsylvania, even with in-state undergraduate tuition for the 2025-26 academic year increasing by $139 per semester to $3,997 per semester. Full-year tuition will increase by $278 to $7,994.

PASSHE is requesting a 6.5% increase in state funding to maintain flat tuition. If sufficient funding is received from the state, the Board would roll back part or all of the increase. This flexible approach to tuition setting has never been done before in PASSHE.

“Every dollar counts for our students. If the state provides the funding we’ve requested, PASSHE can roll back tuition to help students with other essential expenses,” said Dr. Cynthia Shapira, chair of the PASSHE Board of Governors. “We hope this action gives those involved in state budget negotiations the time and flexibility they need to secure as much as possible for our students while allowing students and our universities to prepare for the fall semester.”

PASSHE has made progress stabilizing its finances, representatives said, in part due to increased state funding in recent years. Continued improvement requires resources, especially with enrollment challenges across higher education. This tuition plan balances student affordability with the long-term financial health of the university system.

“We know tuition decisions have a real-world impact on our students. This decision reaffirms our deep commitment to affordability and access as we transform the State System for the future,” said PASSHE Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino. “This approach to tuition honors our partnership with the governor and legislators and gives them time and flexibility to find ways to invest more in PASSHE students and universities.”

This is the first tuition change since 2018. A freshman last year paid the same tuition that was in place when they were in seventh grade. Had tuition kept pace with inflation, the student would have paid nearly 28% more.

The board must set tuition by this week to ensure students, families and universities have time to prepare for the fall semester, which begins in about six weeks. The board determines in-state undergraduate tuition rates. Each university established graduate and out-of-state undergraduate tuition rates, along with student room, board, and mandatory fees.

To support affordability, PASSHE has:

Saved $600 million since 2019 through efficiency improvements and cost controls.

Doubled university-funded financial aid, which now exceeds $140 million annually and directly reduces costs for students.

Expanded emergency aid programs to help students overcome financial hardship and stay on track to graduation.

PASSHE universities enroll the highest number of in-state students of any four-year college or university system in Pennsylvania. Nearly 90% of students are Pennsylvania residents, and 80% attend full-time, reflecting the State System’s mission to serve the commonwealth. More than 650,000 alumni live in Pennsylvania, contributing to the state’s economy and communities.

PASSHE universities align academic programs with evolving workforce needs. About 70% of graduates earn degrees in high-demand fields such as healthcare, education, business, and STEM, helping address critical talent shortages across the commonwealth.