Gov. Greg Abbott announced tuition and fees will not increase at UT and all other Texas two-year and four-year public institutions for the 2026-2027 academic year in a May 27 letter to institution presidents. This continues his tuition agenda introduced in 2023.
Public higher education in Texas has maintained a steady tuition cost for the past three academic cycles, with in-state tuition at UT ranging from $5,429 to $6,788 per semester. For out-of-state students, it ranged from $21,277 to $25,553, according to UT’s tuition rates chart.
“Higher education must be attainable for Texas students and families,” Abbott wrote in the letter. “Access to affordable, high-quality education is essential to ensure Texans learn the skills needed to secure family-sustaining jobs and meet the demands of a growing workforce.”
Abbott’s letter reminded university presidents that no undergraduate fees should be increased in the next year. This comes after the UT System Board of Regents approved a mandatory non-academic fee increase at six of its institutions on May 21. Though these increases did not affect UT Austin, overall, they aim to fund resources such as athletics and student medical services. Abbott’s address did not specify whether non-academic fees are included in the freeze.
According to the Regents meeting agenda, proposed increases to non-academic mandatory fees at the six institutions “would not increase the average cost of attendance by more than 3.7%.”
While tuition and fees will not increase for the upcoming school year, total cost of attendance will not necessarily stay the same. According to stated residence hall rates on Texas OneStop, housing and dining costs will increase for the upcoming school year by about 3% from the 2025-2026 academic year.
“If you just (focus on) tuition, there’s this ability to still change how much students are paying out of pocket,” said Jeffrey Denning, associate professor of public affairs and educational leadership and policy.
Denning said students receiving educational grants are not guaranteed the same financial aid each year, and many tuition freezes are maintained by cutting state assistance.
“Institutional aid tends to decrease in the presence of tuition freezes, and that means that the price is going up still,” Denning said.
In his letter, Abbott announced the state also allocated $328 million in 2025 to increase financial aid programs for eligible students amid the tuition cap, saying the investment will prioritize affordability.
“These investments ensure that higher education remains accessible and affordable for all Texans,” Abbott wrote.
Abbott indicated the potential continuation of this directive beyond next year. Denning said it is unclear how long a tuition freeze can be maintained, stating that university spending on instruction tends to go down over time without tuition increases.
“Texas must continue leading the nation in creating affordable pathways to higher education while maintaining the high academic standards that make our institutions strong,” Abbott wrote. “I look forward to working with the legislature next session … to identify additional opportunities to make higher education options more affordable, maintain high academic standards, and best position Texas students for future success.”
