UM Curators approve tuition increase

University of Missouri institutions remain among most affordable compared to peers

Columbia, Mo.— The University of Missouri Board of Curators today voted to approve a plan presented and discussed in April to raise tuition across all four UM universities between 2% and 5%. Even with these increases, tuition at UM institutions remains among the lowest in surrounding states.

“These modest increases will help us maintain our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education to the residents of Missouri and beyond,” said Mun Choi, UM President. “Our universities remain competitive among peer institutions and the overall cost of attendance remains low.”

Undergraduate tuition rates will increase 5%, or $15.30 per credit hour, at the University of Missouri-Columbia. At the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the Board approved an increase of 4.1%, or $12.30 per credit hour. Missouri University of Science and Technology will increase tuition by 3.5%, or $10.60 per credit hour. University of Missouri-St. Louis students will see a 2% increase, or $7.60 per credit hour. The increases fall below the rate currently allowed by Missouri law, which would allow an increase of up to 9.1%.

Tuition for graduate students will also increase by 5% at MU, 4% at UMKC and 2% at UMSL. The graduate tuition rate at Missouri S&T will not increase. 

“Our number one priority is student success,” said Darryl Chatman, chair of the Board of Curators. “These tuition increases will allow us to invest in the programs and resources that improve student success and enable our students to graduate sooner, such as increased course section availability, research opportunities, the best technology and more faculty.” 

The approved tuition and fee increases will provide funding for investments in student advising and student success, increasing the number of course sections and scholarships, decreasing the time to graduation, providing more experiential opportunities, renovating classrooms and laboratories, and investing in research support to attract better faculty and grow the state’s economy. 

In an effort to make tuition rates more predictable, the Board has discussed potential changes to the current tuition model. Proposals for establishing differential tuition models and eliminating supplemental fees are being developed and input is being gathered from various constituent groups, including students.  The final proposals will be presented to the Board for approval in the spring of 2022. 

In other actions, the Board approved the construction of a new football indoor practice facility at MU. The new 86,400-square-foot facility will include a full-size indoor practice field, whereas the current facility only has a 70-yard field. The indoor practice facility will also alleviate tight scheduling, which is currently shared among baseball, softball, soccer and other athletic programs. The $33 million facility, which will be funded by private gifts and utilize short-term financing, is expected to be complete by December 2022.

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