Trustees of the University of Alabama System approved a resolution to raise undergraduate, graduate and professional tuition and fees for the 2025–26 academic year at the system’s three universities, citing increased operating expenses and benchmarking to peers.

System presenters said the proposed resident tuition increases are small: about 2.67% at the University of Alabama, slightly over 3% at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), and 2.91% at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Nonresident undergraduate tuition increases proposed were 3.5% at UA, 3% at UAH and 3% at UAB; UAB’s proposal includes additional differentials for engineering and business programs.

The presenters said tuition remains a primary revenue source for academic operations and that the increases are intended to help cover rising mandatory costs, including contributions to the state retirement plan and retiree health insurance, competitive salaries to recruit and retain faculty and staff, and technology investments for data security and student services. System presenters said the system benchmarked rates against peer institutions and emphasized a continued institutional commitment to affordability following a tuition freeze that began in 2019.

The resolution also included proposals for professional schools. UAB’s Heersink School of Medicine requested a 3% increase for both resident and nonresident tuition. The School of Dentistry requested a 3% increase for both resident and nonresident tuition. The School of Optometry requested a 3% increase for resident tuition and no increase for nonresident tuition; presenters noted optometry nonresident tuition is already high relative to national peers.

Presenters provided enrollment and application details for professional programs: the Heersink School of Medicine cited roughly 748 enrolled students and more than 4,000 applications for fall 2024; the School of Dentistry cited about 380 enrolled students and over 1,200 applications; and the School of Optometry cited about 223 enrolled students and roughly 363 final applications for the 2025 cycle. Presenters noted that a high share of practicing physicians, dentists and optometrists in Alabama trained at UAB’s professional schools.

A trustee raised concern about the low share of in‑state applicants to the School of Optometry (reported as roughly 8% of applicants), and asked that campus staff provide a follow‑up response. The board voted to approve the systemwide tuition resolution.

The board chair commented that approving tuition at this April meeting — earlier in the budget process than in prior years — was a deliberate change to aid campus planning.

The resolution passed by voice vote; the transcript records the motion, a second and the chair saying the resolution is approved.