The UNC System is considering raising tuition costs for future in-state undergraduate students.
In a meeting on Wednesday, the UNC System Board of Governors discussed increasing tuition by 3%. The tuition increase would not be a requirement for campuses, and 3% would be the maximum increase.
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Any increase in tuition would impact new in-state undergraduate students next fall. The UNC System has not increased tuition since the 2017-18 school year.
"Even with a 3% adjustment, tuition for North Carolina students will remain among the lowest in the nation and well below most of our peer institutions," Chair Wendy Murphy said.
Muprhy said system leaders remain committed to affordability, but schools have to counteract rising inflation.
"This is all about balance, about strengthening our universities while keeping opportunity within reach for the people of our state," Murphy said. "That has always been the mission of the system, and with careful stewardship, it will remain so for generations to come."
What would a 3% increase look like?
- At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, it would mean about $105 more per semester.
- At North Carolina State University, it would be about $56 more per semester.
The four NC Promise schools -- Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, Western North Carolina and UNC Pembroke -- will not have any tuition increases.
The possible tuition increase comes as the board sees impacts of inflation and state budget concerns.
In July, WRAL News reported the state legislature’s failure to pass a new state budget has presented budgetary pressures for the state’s 16 public universities. Additionally, universities in North Carolina are facing pressures from the federal government, as President Donald Trump has pushed to slash funding for scientific, medical and other research nationwide.
UNC System President Peter Hans addressed the board at 10 a.m. on Thursday. An official decision would not be made until February next year.
The consideration comes a day after Wake Forest University, a private university in Winston-Salem, announced students with an annual family income of less than $200,000 could attend tuition-free starting in 2026.
The university's president said the effort shows the school's "deep commitment to students from our home state.”
Earlier this week, two other private universities -- Elon University and Queens University of Charlotte -- announced a merger to "expand opportunities for students" and "strengthen both institutions." Specific details of the merger have not been shared.