University of Utah trustees approve 3.5% tuition increase for 2026–27

The University of Utah Board of Trustees approved a proposed 3.5% tuition increase for the 2026–27 academic year at a special single-issue meeting.

Tony Wagner, the university’s chief financial officer, presented the proposal and said, "The tuition increase, request for f y for our academic year 20 26 27 is 3.5%." He told trustees that roughly $16.9 million represents the total dollar impact of the 3.5% increase and that about $9.6 million of the increase is earmarked for faculty salary adjustments for inflation, promotion and retention.

Wagner said a portion of the requested increase is driven by state mandates, including a 2.5% mandated compensation increase; the state covers approximately 75% of that mandate and the university covers about 25% through tuition. "Approximately 1.51% of the 3.5% tuition increase will be used to cover those mandates," he said. The remaining funds, Wagner said, will be used for faculty salary adjustments, benefits, insurance and other costs tied to compensation and operating pressures.

The trustees voted to approve the tuition and fee package during the meeting. Chair Echols called for the vote and, after audible affirmative responses, announced that "The motion passes." The transcript does not include a complete roll-call vote; the meeting recorded audible "ayes" and the chair declared the motion approved.

The administration will present the board’s endorsement to the Utah Board of Higher Education next week as part of the state review process, Wagner said. He also told trustees he would provide a follow-up figure for the "total average cost" for a student to graduate when that number was pulled together; that specific number was not provided at the meeting.