KU News Release

KU proposal offers freshmen no tuition increase for four years

NOTE: Proposal was approved by Kansas Board of Regents on June 28. Read the announcement

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas today unveiled an unprecedented proposal that offers incoming first-time freshmen no tuition increases for four years. The proposal, which the Kansas Board of Regents will vote on in June, would fix tuition rates for freshmen and set fees four years in advance for all students.

Called the Four-Year Tuition Compact, the proposal would enable first-time freshmen and their families to determine the cost of tuition and fees for the time it takes to complete a bachelor’s degree program. The compact also includes an optional two-year fixed rate for student housing.

“We strive to keep college as affordable as possible, and KU remains below the national average in terms of cost,” said Chancellor Robert Hemenway. “Now we are providing freshmen and their families additional help by giving them the ability to make financial plans without worrying about sudden spikes in tuition rates or fees.”

In addition to offering parents and first-time freshmen a fixed tuition rate for four years, the tuition compact also serves as an incentive for students to complete their degree programs on time.

“Completing four-year academic programs in four years is a high priority,” said Hemenway. “By offering no tuition increases for four years, we are giving students a powerful incentive to finish their degrees on time.”

The plan was developed in response to KU student leadership’s request for a tuition plan that would enable students and their families to plan and budget for college expenses.

Under the proposal, the per-credit-hour tuition rate for first-time freshmen will be fixed for four calendar years from the day they start taking classes at KU. Four years is the time it takes for a student taking 16 credit hours a semester to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. All but four KU bachelor degrees can be completed in four years.

The compact also would set course fees for the next four years. Course fees are levied on a per-credit-hour basis in all of KU’s schools except social welfare and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students typically are enrolled in these schools in their junior and senior years. However, almost 65 percent of KU students are enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and most won’t pay any course fees while earning a degree.

Returning or transfer students are not eligible for the compact tuition rate. They will pay the standard tuition rate, which is set every June by the regents. However, these students will pay the same set course fees as first-time freshmen.

The university is also working to establish a four-year schedule of required campus fees, an annual charge students pay to support services such as the student health center, fitness and recreation center and the bus system. Required campus fees, which are proposed to be $377.75 for the fall 2007 semester, are set by Student Senate and voted on by the student body.

For more information and details on the Four-Year Tuition Compact and standard tuition, visit www.tuition.ku.edu. The site includes frequently asked questions, a glossary of terms and cost estimates. Downloadable features include a PowerPoint presentation and the proposal presented to the regents today.

KU’s resident undergraduate tuition and fees rank 23rd among the 34 public members of the prestigious American Association of Universities and rank fifth among the 11 public Big 12 institutions.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.