MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) – The University of South Alabama approved a tuition increase plan for the next two years at a board meeting held on Friday, June 3.

For the 2021-2022 academic year, in-state undergraduate tuition is $10,520 and graduate tuition is $11,168. For out-of-state, undergraduate tuition is $20,840 and $22,136 for graduate tuition.

The university offers progressive tuition increases for in-state and out-of-state students participating in undergraduate and graduate programs. Over the next two years, undergraduates attending the state would pay $900 more in tuition than they pay now. For graduates attending in-state, the rate would increase by $552. Out-of-state undergraduate and graduate tuition would see an increase of more than $1,000.

What is the money for?

The University said fees have remained the same for the past two years, while the school has suffered budget cuts amid rising running costs. The tuition fee increase will be used to “improve student life on campus”, with the money going towards housing maintenance and food services.

The University also wants in-person and online courses to be better priced. According to Agenda, “current online tuition rates are significantly higher than in-person rates.” The University plans to lower the price of online courses and increase the price of in-person courses.

Here is a breakdown of the tuition increase

Although the University of South Alabama will move on to no. 5 in the rankings by 2024, this is under the assumption that other schools will not increase their tuition fees. The University expects tuition for the 2022-2023 academic year “to continue to be among the lowest in effect at peer public institutions in the state of Alabama.”