DENTON, Texas — A public university in Texas announced Thursday that incoming students will be paying the same as they did the previous school year to give families some financial relief.
The University of North Texas (UNT) System Board of Regents unanimously voted to keep tuition the same for all of its schools for the Fiscal Year 2023. This was in accordance with the UNT System consolidated budget established during an August meeting.
This is now the seventh consecutive year tuition has remained the same, UNT System Chancellor Dr. Michael R. Williams said.
“During a time when inflation is at an all-time high, the entire UNT System remains committed to providing an education of great value that is accessible and affordable for all students," Williams said. "The UNT System will continue to demonstrate fiscal stewardship by identifying cost-savings to ensure no unnecessary financial burden is being passed on to our students and their families.”
Michelle Hale is moving in her daughter, Madeleine Hale, for her freshman year at UNT in Denton. She said this type of stability in tuition costs is helpful for her family.
"It's very helpful because the cost of everything else is going up, and so the fact that we know that at least for the next year, we know what to expect, as far as tuition and fees," Michelle Hale said. "If everything else fluctuates, we know we can at least count on that staying the same."
Tony Tate is also moving in his son, Garrison Tate, to the UNT campus. He said this tuition rate along with a good scholarship was one of the deciding factors in choosing a college.
"All that combined makes the cost pretty reasonable for us," Tony Tate said. "He's really into guitar, and we know they have a good music program."
The last time any UNT campus raised tuition was in 2016. Between May 2016 and May 2022, the price of milk increased 33% and the price of eggs increased 70% while the price of UNT’s tuition stayed flat, according to Williams.
“The UNT System is dedicated to transforming the value proposition of higher education and is laser-focused on our students and their families, their experience, learning, and lifetime success," Williams said.
In the United States, the average cost for tuition in public universities went up about 1.2% in fall 2020 and 1.6% in fall 2021, according to the non-profit organization College Board. Those were the smallest percentage increases since the 1970s, this data showed.