The Iowa Board of Regents on Wednesday approved a third consecutive year of freezing tuition for resident undergraduate students at the University of Iowa.

UI officials welcomed the Board of Regents' action, saying it underscores the state’s commitment to make higher education at the UI and the two other regents universities affordable to Iowans.

"I want to thank the board for freezing tuition at the UI and our fellow public universities," UI President Sally Mason said. "It's a great help in our mission to provide a top-quality education and learning environment for our students, while maintaining a price that’s affordable. We want all students and families to be able to make the investment in higher education.”

The regents also voted to increase tuition for nonresident undergraduates and graduate students attending the UI by 1.75 percent.

The board’s recommendation would take effect for the 2015-16 academic year, beginning with the summer session next year.