Regents hear first reading of 2025–26 tuition proposals and create study group to explore tuition guarantee for resident freshmen

At the April 24 Iowa Board of Regents meeting the board received a first reading of proposed tuition and mandatory-fee changes for the 2025–26 academic year and discussed a new study examining a tuition-guarantee model.

Chief Business Officer Brad Berg presented the first reading of proposed base undergraduate resident tuition rates: a 3.0% increase at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University and a 2.7% increase at the University of Northern Iowa. The proposed annual base resident rates stated in the presentation were $9,565 for the University of Iowa, $9,530 for Iowa State University, and $8,792 for UNI; the increases were presented as $279, $278 and $228 respectively. Berg also said the docket includes variable rate proposals for nonresidents, graduate and professional students, differential program rates, and an itemized list of mandatory fee proposals.

Separately, the board chair announced the establishment of a tuition study group to research the merits of a tuition-guarantee program. The chair said Regents Hensley and Barker will serve on that study group, which will evaluate a model in which resident students who enroll as freshmen at a regent university would not face tuition increases during their subsequent years. The board chair said the study group should report back no later than the November 2025 meeting, and that the proposed tuition rates will return for a second reading and vote at the June meeting.

Board members did not take a final vote on the tuition schedule at this meeting—the item was explicitly introduced as a first reading—and the board asked staff to be prepared to answer follow-up questions at the June meeting, when final action is scheduled.

The presentation also included an overview of program-specific and common fees; staff noted fee descriptions and justifications were included in the docket materials for further review.