UHS Board of Regents Sets Tuition Rates for FY2014

Tuition Revenue to Support Systemwide Student Success Initiatives

Recognizing that the need to enhance the University of Houston’s graduation rate requires more focused attention on the student experience, the UH System (UHS) Board of Regents today approved a modest tuition increase of $13 per undergraduate credit hour at UH for fiscal year 2014.

The funds generated by the tuition increase will be invested to assist UH in facilitating student success initiatives and to meet the demands of increased enrollment. These include:

  • bolstering student advising
  • increasing faculty hiring
  • increasing student financial aid
  • enhancing UH’s libraries, instructional technology and graduate student support

Regents approved the tuition rate as part of a multi-year plan to improve UH’s graduation rate. The board’s action comes in the context of four key points:

  • UH did not increase undergraduate tuition last year
  • UH is ranked No. 7 in the nation for graduating students with the least amount of debt (U.S. News & World Report, College Rankings, 2013)
  • UH will offer a four-year fixed tuition program for all of its freshmen, beginning in 2014
  • UH's tuition is comparable with the rates of other Tier One universities in Texas and the nation

Earlier this year, UH and UH-Downtown (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 were respectively ranked No. 9 and No. 10. Last year, The Princeton Review ranked UH as a “best value” university and also cited it as one of the top institutions for graduating students with the least amount of debt.

The University of Houston 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 years degrees.

Tuition rates at all the UH System campuses were developed following extensive public deliberation among key stakeholders within the UHS community (faculty, staff and students). During meetings and forums, key priorities were identified for each UHS university. After approval from UHS Chancellor Renu Khator and the UHS presidents, rates were submitted to the board for final approval.

The rates below represent an approximate per-credit-hour increase for resident undergraduate students taking 12 credit hours at the three other UHS universities: UH-Clear Lake (UHCL), UH-Downtown (UHD) and UH-Victoria (UHV):

  • UHCL – change of $9.66 per credit hour
  • UHD – change of $9.25 per credit hour
  • UHV – change of $9.58 per credit hour

Rates for graduate students taking nine credit hours are as follows:

  • UHCL – change of $15.84 per credit hour
  • UHD – change of $29.52 per credit hour
  • UHV – change of $14.66 per credit hour

UHCL’s tuition revenue will support the recruitment and retention of faculty and academic staff, bolster financial aid and enhance its library and teaching centers. These funds also will support UHCL as it transitions into a four-year institution. UHCL did not increase its undergraduate tuition rates last year.

Additional revenue at UHD will be applied to several student success strategies including improved student advising and instructional and learning resources. UHD also will apply funds toward enrollment growth initiatives.

UHV’s goals include adding new faculty to meet the demand of its increased enrollment, expanding student scholarships, enhancing student resources and supporting off-campus learning centers and programs.

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

 

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ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM

The University of Houston System is a comprehensive system of higher education institutions serving to further the intellectual capital and economic strength of the Gulf Coast region. The UH System includes the University of Houston, a nationally recognized Tier One public research university; the University of Houston-Downtown, a four-year undergraduate university expanding into graduate programs; the University of Houston-Victoria, a four-year university with undergraduate and master’s level degree programs; and the University of Houston- Clear Lake, an upper-division and master’s level institution. The system also includes three branch campuses, UH-Clear Lake Pearland, UH System - Northwest and UH Sugar Land, as well as a multi-institution teaching center, UH System Cinco Ranch. In addition, the System owns and operates Houston Public Media (HPM). HPM comprises KUHF-FM, Houston’s National Public Radio station; KUHA-FM, Houston’s 24-hour classical music station; and KUHT-TV, the nation’s first educational television station. To learn more about the UH System, visit http://www.uhsa.uh.edu/.