TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Tuition will remain flat at the University of Kansas and Kansas State but will increase slightly this fall at the state’s other four public universities.
The Kansas Board of Regents approved Wednesday an increase of 2% at Wichita State University, 2.4% at Emporia State University, 2.5% at Pittsburg State University and 3.7% at Fort Hays State, KMUW reports.
“Our institutions are facing incredibly difficult choices as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Board of Regents Chair Shane Bangerter. “In the face of revenue losses, increased costs and continued uncertainty, universities made great efforts to ensure that students do not bear the cost. As a result, we were able hold tuition flat or keep increases as low as possible.”
The University of Kansas announced its plans not to raise tuition last month, saying the school needs to stay competitive and that it wasn’t right to raise tuition as students and their families deal with lost jobs and income caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Kansas State offered similar reasons.
Tuition was held flat for all the state schools last year at the Kansas Board of Regent’s insistence due to the Kansas Legislature providing more funding for higher education.