Officials in Georgia have recently approved an increase in tuition and fees at the state’s public universities and colleges for the 2024-2025 academic year. This decision was made in order to offset rising costs and maintain the quality of education provided by these institutions. The typical in-state undergraduate student will pay $6,466 in tuition and mandatory fees next year, a 2.4% increase from the previous year. Tuition and fees will vary across the 26 schools in the system, ranging from $3,506 to $12,058.
The increase in costs is attributed to higher expenses in areas such as technology, software, food, utilities, and insurance, as well as the need to raise employee salaries. While state funding covers pay raises for most academic employees, universities must allocate funds from their own budgets for support staff raises. Costs for dormitory rooms and meal plans will also be on the rise. Despite the increase in fees, the typical student will still be paying less than in 2022, due to the elimination of a fee that was previously charged on top of tuition.
In addition to the tuition hike for in-state students, fees for out-of-state and online students will also see an increase. Out-of-state students will now pay 2% more than their in-state counterparts, who already pay three times or more than in-state students. For online students, fees may be less than those for in-person students, but are still necessary to help cover expenses such as student activities and athletic facilities. The university system noted that declining revenues from student fees are occurring simultaneously with rising costs.
The state of Georgia will contribute nearly $3.4 billion to the university system’s approximately $9 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Lawmakers have increased state funding for universities by $200 million, with $97 million allocated for salary raises and $66 million restored for teaching funds. This budget increase is seen as a positive step towards providing a quality education experience for students. Regents also plan to provide additional funding to smaller schools with declining enrollment to help support their educational programs.
Many Georgia students rely on financial aid and loans to help cover the costs of their college education. More than 35% of students currently borrow money to pay for college, with an average loan amount exceeding $5,500. With the rising costs of tuition and fees, it is becoming increasingly challenging for students and their families to afford higher education. Despite these challenges, officials are working to maintain quality education and support students in their academic pursuits.
