UH System Board of Regents Approves FY2015, FY2016 Tuition Rates

Optional Four-Year Fixed Rates and Variable Rates Set for Upcoming Fiscal Years

In its efforts to bolster graduation rates and help students financially navigate future semesters, the University of Houston-System Board of Regents approved tuition rates for fiscal years 2015 (FY2015) and 2016 (FY2016).

In a historic move, the board approved systemwide four-year fixed rates to assist students in graduating early or on time. These optional rates will be available to first-time in college students and undergraduate transfer students entering UHS institutions in the fall semesters.  These rates were developed in response to a policy decision from the Texas Legislature requiring universities to offer four-year fixed tuition plans this year.

Undergraduate students entering UH, UH-Clear Lake (UHCL), UH-Downtown (UHD) or UH-Victoria (UHV) in fall 2014 will have the option of participating in a four-year fixed tuition plan. At UH, these rates are part of the new UH in 4 initiative, which requires students to complete 30 semester credit hours during an academic year. Students who elect not to participate in a four-year fixed rate plan will pay variable rate tuition.

Four-year fixed rates were developed with the assumption that variable rate tuition will increase at a rate of 2.2 percent over the next four years.

Approved four-year fixed tuition rates (not including student fees) for 15 semester credit hours at the UHS institutions are as follows:

  • UH: FY2015 - $4,750 / FY2016 - $4,855
  • UHCL: FY2015 - $3,472 / FY2016 - $3,622
  • UHD: FY2015 - $3,275 / FY2016 - $3,415
  • UHV: FY2015 - $3,283 / FY2016 - $3,402

The approved undergraduate variable rates for 15 semester credit hours (not including student fees) at each UHS institution are as follows:

  • UH: FY2015 - $4,782 average / FY2016 - $4,878 average. (In 2012, UH adopted consolidated tuition rates that are determined by major. The rates represented reflect the average cost of tuition for undergraduate students. Detailed rates by discipline can be found here. )
  • UHCL: FY2015 - $3,326 / FY2016 - $3,491
  • UHD: FY2015 - $3,155 / FY2016 - $3,317
  • UHV: FY2015 - $3,164 / FY2016 - $3,311

Graduate variable tuition rates for 9 semester credit hours (not including student fees) at each UHS institution are as follows:

  • UH: UH will not implement tuition increases for doctoral programs. Master’s programs will vary by discipline. A breakdown of rates for FY2015 and FY2016 can be found here.
  • UHCL: FY2015 - $3,682 / FY2016 - $3,898
  • UHD: FY2015 - $3,090 / FY2016 - $3,288
  • UHV: FY2015 - $2,916 / FY2016 - $3,129

Tuition revenues at each UHS institution will be dedicated to enhancing programs and resources aimed at promoting student success.

At UH, revenue generated from tuition will support strategies including increasing faculty and financial aid, as well as enhancing libraries, instructional technology and graduate student support.

UHCL will dedicate its tuition revenue to growing and retaining faculty and staff, adding faculty for high growth programs and a new program in nursing, and supporting its downward expansion efforts.

Student success initiatives supported by UHD’s tuition revenue include enhanced student advising, enrollment growth, increased financial aid, strengthened student support, and augmented online learning resources.

UHV will apply tuition revenue to adding new faculty, expanding scholarships, enriching student life initiatives, bolstering its information technology resources and supporting off-campus programs in Fort Bend County and The Woodlands, Texas.

 In 2013, UH and UHD were recognized as two of the most affordable universities in Texas by the Online College Database. In its list of 23 most affordable universities, UH and UHD respectively ranked 9th and 10th.  The Princeton Review ranked UH as a “best value” university in 2013 and cited it as one of the top institutions for graduating students with the least amount of debt.

UH currently offers a net price calculator designed to help students predict and understand their education costs and incentive programs, such as the Cougar Promise and the tuition rebate program. The Cougar Promise guarantees free tuition and mandatory fees to new in-state freshmen with family incomes at or below $45,000. The $1,000 tuition rebate program provides incentive to undergraduates who meet eligibility requirements, including graduating within four calendar years for four-year degrees. The development of these programs and the upcoming fixed tuition model is largely in response to rising tuition rates statewide, fueled by long-term decreasing support from state revenues.

For more details on the UH System and the UH System Board of Regents, visit http://www.uhsa.uh.edu/.