The University of Utah is proposing increasing tuition by up to 2% for the 2020-21 school year—a smaller increase than each of the previous two years.

The additional funding will support increased online course offerings, sustainability efforts and updated technology. A student fee for print newspapers distributed on campus will be eliminated, offset by a small fee for improvements to the Union Building and a new campus communications app.

Overall, tuition is projected to go up approximately $83 per semester for a resident undergraduate student taking a full-time class load—15 credits. Full-time resident undergraduate tuition is currently $4,126.38 per semester. A tuition increase of 2% would raise that to $4,208.91.

“We’re sensitive to concerns about rising costs in high education and are dedicated to being responsible stewards of student resources,” says Mark Winter, associate vice president for Budget & Finance. “Because of that, we have worked hard to find efficiencies and opportunities to provide world-class education, innovative research and community-focused service without increasing costs.”

This year the university was ranked No. 14 in the nation by The Wall Street Journal for providing the best higher education value. The U has the lowest tuition among all Pac-12 and Big 10 institutions (based on 2019-20 total tuition and fees for a full-time resident undergraduate). It also has the highest graduation rate and among the lowest average student loan debt of all public, four-year institutions in Utah.

Those who attend the Truth in Tuition open house will have a chance to talk to members of the university administration who can discuss university operations, including how the U ensures students get the best value for their tuition dollars. For those unable to attend, a summary of the topics discussed is presented below:

Efforts to promote student success

Tuition and fees support several student success initiatives.

• While a Collegiate Reader Program Fee will be eliminated, however, the program will continue for several years until current funds are exhausted).
• A new $0.75 fee will cover the costs of new digital software for Campus Connect, a news and social networking app.
• Student leaders also voted to initiate a $2.35 fee for program planning directed at remodeling and improving or possibly building a new Union Building to replace the nearly 70-year-old A. Ray Olpin Union Building.
• Student enrollment is projected to increase slightly for the 2020-21 school year to 24,700 undergraduates, bringing total university enrollment to 33,000.
• The university has a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
• Financial aid support is on an upward trajectory. For example, in 2017-18, students were able to use nearly $255 million in grants and loans. During the 2018-19 school year, students drew upon more than $268 million in funding.
• A new fund—the For Utah Scholarship—will award grants beginning fall semester 2020. Scholarships are available to all eligible Utah students who maintain a full course load and a 3.0 GPA.

Improving Operational Efficiency: The U works diligently to ensure efficient business practices and to preserve the environment through sustainability initiatives.

• The university logged the lowest total energy consumption and cost in the past nine years during the 2018-19 school year.
• By 2021, nearly two-thirds—71%—of the U’s electricity will come from renewable resources.
• The U used 18% less water in the past year, saving 87 million gallons and $500,000 per year.