Nevada students face rising college costs following a decision by the Board of Regents on Friday, January 23. The board voted eight to five to approve tuition increases for both universities and community colleges over the next three years.
Tuition Increases Approved
The approved plan will raise tuition by 12% for universities and upper-division courses at community colleges. Lower-division community college courses will see a nine percent increase. This translates to an approximate $1,200 annual increase for students at public universities and $400 for those attending community colleges.
The decision comes as the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) addresses a $47 million budget shortfall. NSHE Chancellor Matt McNair stated the increase was carefully considered to balance affordability with the need to maintain services.
Financial Pressures and Difficult Choices
According to reports, the state legislature’s previous cost-of-living adjustments for faculty and staff, while necessary after a period of furloughs and hiring freezes, were funded with one-time allocations. This created a structural deficit as those funds were depleted. Lucia Starbuck, a reporter with KUNR Public Radio, indicated the regents felt they had limited options.
“It was either raise tuition or about more than 300 jobs were at risk,” Starbuck said. “Staff also expressed concerns that reductions in services, including library resources, counseling, and tutoring, could occur.”
The impact on students is already being felt. Kelechi Odunze, student body president at UNLV, reported widespread concern among students. “I’m hearing a lot of people saying they’re going to have to drop out or take on an additional job or reduce their course load,” Odunze said. “Many students are saying they’ll have to take out more loans.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is driving the tuition increase?
The Nevada Board of Regents approved the increase to address a roughly $47 million budget shortfall within the Nevada System of Higher Education.
How much will tuition increase for students?
Tuition will increase by 12% for universities and upper-division courses at community colleges, and by nine percent for lower-division courses. This amounts to approximately $1,200 per year for university students and $400 for community college students.
What alternatives were considered before raising tuition?
According to reports, the alternative to raising tuition was the potential loss of over 300 jobs and reductions in student services like library resources, counseling, and tutoring.
How will these tuition increases affect access to higher education in Nevada?
