On Feb. 26, the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors approved a tuition increase for new students at most of the state’s public universities. 

The decision follows a Board of Governors’ announcement in September 2025 authorizing universities to propose in-state tuition increases of up to 3% to address rising operating costs and inflationary pressures. For nine years, UNC System tuition had remained frozen for in-state undergraduates, reflecting the System’s commitment to affordability despite rising costs.

The increase amounts to about $125 for in-state students and $983 for out-of-state undergraduates, on average. Tuition for current in-state students as well as for new students at N.C. Promise Schools will remain unchanged.

The Board also approved an increase in mandatory student fees. For the 2026-27 school year, fees are expected to rise by an average of 1%. The two increases will bring the combined average cost of tuition and fees to approximately $7,644 across most of the 17 UNC System universities, which serve over 256,000 students.

Commitment to affordability

UNC leaders state that the decision represents a broader effort to sustain university operations. While acknowledging the impact of surging costs, UNC System President Peter Hans emphasized that affordability remains a priority for the System. 

“Low tuition is at the heart of our compact with the people of North Carolina,” Hans said in a press release. “We’re focused on reducing administrative costs, keeping student debt down and making sure every UNC degree delivers value for our graduates.”

Operational costs on the rise

Rising costs tied to faculty retention, student services and other inflation-related expenses contributed to the tuition increase, as officials weighed the consequences of increased student costs with the fundamental needs of the university system.

UNC System Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Haygood told NC Newsline that campuses will funnel the resources freed up by the tuition increase toward student support. 

“You can see campuses wanting to invest in student services, particularly advising, both academic advising and career counseling,” Haygood said. “Lastly, inflation is always in the background as a continued challenge that our students, our campuses have been dealing with for many years and have been absorbing.”

Concerns about tuition increase

Despite support from UNC System officials, the decision to raise tuition sparked debate among members of the Board of Governors. Some critics contended that universities should continue cutting costs rather than placing a financial burden on students, noting that income growth in North Carolina has not kept pace with rising tuition. 

One of these critics, Art Pope, a former N.C. House member and state budget director under Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, stressed the importance of lowering unnecessary spending.

“We can still do so much better, reducing the nickels and dimes that become millions, prioritizing the core academic mission of teaching and research in other areas and making it as free as practicable tuition for our in-state residents,” Pope said. “Other states are doing it.”

Students and families react

The news elicited varied responses from students and families. Some prospective students expressed disappointment but said the relatively minor increase in tuition is unlikely to alter their college plans. However, others noted that even a small increase in financial burden can affect certain families.

“Money is always going to be a factor in deciding of what students want to go and how they go, and if they’re able to afford it. You know, $125 for one family versus another could be a big deal,” Damon Whalen, a school counselor, told Spectrum 1 News. 

Hannah Rabinowitz, a student from North Carolina who goes to UNC Chapel Hill, said she was disappointed in the decision to increase tuition, especially for in-state students.

“I was really shocked by the UNC [system] decision to increase tuition,” she said. “We’ve always prided ourselves in North Carolina on having really low, affordable tuition. Even in light of raising tuition for out-of-state students, they were so willing to raise tuition for in-state students despite the mission of the schools.”

Effects for Wake Forest

As a private university, Wake Forest’s tuition will not be affected by the UNC System decision. However, the university is making its own financial changes for in-state students.

Wake Forest announced in September 2025 that new North Carolina students whose families earn less than $200,000 per year will not pay tuition. The new scholarship program, called Gateway to Wake Forest, emphasizes affordability as costs rise across the state.

“The North Carolina Gateway to Wake Forest University demonstrates our deep commitment to students from our home state,” President Susan Wente said. “It says clearly to students and families who may not have considered Wake Forest because of cost: ‘Wake Forest is within your reach.’”

As the school expands its financial aid programs, it intends to remain competitive with schools in the UNC system.