Notices

2025-26 Undergraduate Tuition and Fee Increase Proposal

The University of Memphis Board of Trustees will consider a proposal to increase undergraduate in-state tuition and mandatory fees at the June 4, 2025, meeting. 

Tennessee law (Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-7-1603) requires boards of public universities to give public notice of proposed increases to tuition and mandatory fees charged to in-state undergraduate students at least 15 days prior to holding a public meeting to adopt the increases. Individuals are permitted to provide comments during the 15-day period.

The public comment period will run from May 19-June 2 at 12 p.m. CDT.

Explanation for the Proposed Tuition and Mandatory Fee Increase

Tuition, along with state appropriations, supports 84% of the costs of education and general operations of the University. The 4.92% combined proposed tuition and mandatory fee increase will help support the University in its mission to produce well-rounded successful graduates and cutting-edge research. Along with the increase, the University is focused on optimizing current resources, including possible budget reductions to provide a successful outcome for every student.

Mandatory fees support a variety of student services and operational functions provided by the University. The mandatory fee rates of the University have only been adjusted twice in the last five years. Revenue from the proposed tuition & fee increase will be used to increase enrollment, create opportunities for student success, develop new academic programs and strengthen research initiatives. In addition, the increase will fund inflationary cost increases for software and operations, scholarships, technology infrastructure, safety and security, and student success initiatives.

Efforts Mitigate the Effect of the Tuition and Mandatory Fee Increase on Students

The following factors are considered when increases in tuition and mandatory fees are proposed:

• Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) binding tuition and mandatory fee increase ranges.
• Level of state support.
• Total cost of attendance (which includes tuition cost, mandatory fees, room and board, books and other educational expenses).
• Efforts to mitigate the financial effect on students.
• Other factors deemed appropriate by the University, such as enrollment goals, market factors, new facility costs, new program costs and costs related to general campus operations.

The THEC binding tuition and mandatory fee increase for fiscal year 2025-26 is 0-6.5% as enacted at the Spring THEC meeting.

The University has taken numerous steps over the past several years to contain costs and to keep tuition as low as possible. As a result, the UofM has one of the lowest average tuition increase in Tennessee of 1.8% over the past six years, including a 0% tuition and fee increases in two of the past six years. The average financial aid offered at the UofM to undergraduate, degree seeking students is $11,136 with 86.4% of students receiving some form of financial assistance in the 2024-2025 academic year.

A transcript of all comments will be provided to the UofM Board of Trustees at their meeting on June 4, 2025.