Students at the University of Alabama and its associated campuses in Birmingham and Huntsville will see tuition rates increase by up to 3.5% for the 2025-26 school year, system trustees announced Friday.

The UA System Board of Trustees unanimously approved to increase in-state, undergraduate tuition rates by 2.6% for UA, 2.9% for UAB and 3% for UAH.

Out-of-state tuition would rise by 3.5% at UA, 3% at UAB, and by 3% at UAH this fall.

Increases do not include fees. The board also approved a $2 per credit hour increase for the infrastructure fee.

Tuition changes for in-state students:

• University of Alabama: $5,842 per semester, up from $5,690
• University of Alabama at Birmingham: $5,820 per semester, up from $5,655
• University of Alabama at Huntsville: $5,345 per semester, up from $5,187

And for out-of-state students:

• University of Alabama: $17,271 per semester, up from $16,686
• University of Alabama at Birmingham: $14,490 per semester, up from $14,070
• University of Alabama at Huntsville: $12,695 per semester, up from $12,325

There are “significant increases in mandatory and day-to-day operating expenses that are central to support, recruit and retain the best and brightest,” according to Dana Keith, UA System’s senior vice chancellor for finance and administration. This includes data security and other “critical technology services.”

“We must pay market competitive salaries,” Keith said. “On top of that, we are facing continued increased cost, significantly higher than average inflation for our contributions to the mandatory state retirement plan, retiree health insurance and other employee benefits.”

Out-of-state UAB optometry students will not see increased rates.

Tuition rates increased up to 4% last year.

According to a 2023 State Higher Education Finance report, Alabama college net tuition revenue was nearly twice the national average, at $13,445 per full-time student. (Net tuition revenue is the total amount of tuition and fees, minus state and institutional financial aid). Only students in Michigan, Vermont and Delaware paid more for degrees.

Tuition changes for the UA System were announced earlier than usual to account for student and family decision making. Last year’s tuition increases were announced in the summer.