URI committee recommends 3.5% tuition increase, 0.7% fee rise for FY 2026

The University of Rhode Island Finance and Facilities Committee on Feb. 3 voted to recommend that the Board of Trustees approve a 3.5% tuition increase for in‑state and out‑of‑state undergraduates for fiscal year 2026 and a combined 0.7% increase in mandatory fees.

The recommendation, presented by Abby Benson, vice president, would be forwarded to the full Board of Trustees for a final vote at the February board meeting. “This level of increase optimizes our resources to make sure that we can continue these critical operations while keeping our education accessible,” Benson said during the committee meeting.

The nut graph: The committee framed the proposal as a balance between covering operating cost pressures and limiting negative enrollment impacts. Committee staff said the university assumes enrollment losses begin if tuition increases exceed 4% year‑over‑year; under that assumption, a 3.5% increase is expected to generate the most net tuition while limiting the risk of student attrition.

Committee members reviewed the tuition recommendation together with housing, dining and mandatory fees. The committee recommended a 2% increase to standard housing rates and a 4.7% increase to dining, producing an overall 3% rise in combined housing and dining charges (auxiliary operations are required to be self‑supporting). Mandatory student fees were proposed to rise by 0.7% overall: a $6 increase to the Fascitelli Fitness and Wellness fee (from $110 to $116) and a $10 increase to the Memorial Union fee to allow interim upgrades while larger renovation planning continues.

John Pullman, associate vice president for financial strategy and planning, presented peer comparisons and modeled the dollar impacts on total cost of attendance. Pullman noted URI’s “sticker price” for in‑state students remains lower than several New England peers but said peer discounting (institutional financial aid) is proprietary and not consistently available for direct comparison.

During discussion, committee members asked about enrollment trends. Benson and Dean Labutte (Dean) said last year’s census showed an increase in in‑state first‑year students but a shortfall of roughly 308 out‑of‑state first‑year students compared with budget assumptions; the committee and staff attributed some of that decline to the national FAFSA processing problems and demographic trends. The committee also reviewed modeling that ties assumed enrollment sensitivity to tuition increases (the staff model tied notable enrollment risk starting at a 4% tuition increase).

Votes and next steps: The committee moved and seconded the recommendation and approved it by voice vote; the motion passed unanimously and will be presented for final approval at the full Board of Trustees meeting later in February.

Ending: Committee staff said they will provide additional budget detail as the general assembly budget process advances; the governor’s recommendation is an intermediate step, and final state appropriations are expected closer to June or July.