Editor's note: The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, approved the proposed tuition increase for the 2021-22 academic year at its July 28, 2021, meeting.
At its June meeting, the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, will consider a proposal to increase resident and nonresident tuition for the University of Iowa by $283 for the 2021–22 academic year.
If approved, changes will take effect at the start of the fall 2021 semester for all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Some colleges and professional programs also propose to increase differential tuition rates for specific higher-cost programs.
“This university has weathered the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in light of decreased funding from the state we need the resources to continue to deliver the quality education all of our students deserve,” says UI Interim President John Keller. “The University of Iowa remains a worthy investment for our students, whose college education will be the second-largest investment of their lifetime and will produce the greatest return on investment through lifetime earnings.”
| Undergraduate Resident | Undergraduate Nonresident | Graduate Resident | Graduate Nonresident | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Tuition | 2020–21 | $8,073.00 | $30,036.00 | $10,079.00 | $29,026.00 |
| 2021–22 | $8,356.00 | $30,319.00 | $10,432.00 | $29,379.00 | |
| $ Increase | $283.00 | $283.00 | $353.00 | $353.00 | |
| Mandatory Fees | 2020–21 | $1,532.50 | $1,532.50 | $1,586.50 | $1,586.50 |
| 2021–22 | $1,586.00 | $1,586.00 | $1,633.00 | $1,633.00 | |
| $ Increase | $50.50 | $53.50 | $46.50 | $46.50 | |
| Tuition and Mandatory Fees | 2020–21 | $9,605.50 | $31,568.50 | $11,665.50 | $30,612.50 |
| 2021–22 | $9,942.00 | $31,905.00 | $12,065.00 | $31,012.00 | |
| $ Increase | $336.50 | $336.50 | $399.50 | $399.50 |
Over the last 20 years, the university has experienced a generational disinvestment in public higher education. Since 1998, state funding for the UI has decreased by more than $8 million while the state budget has grown by nearly $4 billion and UI enrollment has grown by nearly 4,000.
For the 2021–22 academic year, the board requested an increase in state appropriation of $7 million for the UI and the restoration of money cut for the 2020–21 academic year. The state, however, approved no change in funding for the UI for the upcoming academic year.
The Board of Regents froze tuition at all state universities for the 2020–21 academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Undergraduate resident tuition and fees at the UI remain among the most affordable options for students in the university’s peer group.
