UMN Board of Regents vote to pass tuition hike, academic cuts

UMN Board of Regents to vote on tuition hike

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents is set to vote on a proposed tuition hike and academic cuts during a meeting on Wednesday. FOX 9's Bill Keller has more on the story.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The University of Minnesota Board of Regents voted 9-3 to pass a budget that includes a 6.5% tuition increase for in-state students and a 7% cut to academic programs across the university. 

Board of Regents meeting

Big picture view:

Twin Cities and Rochester students can expect to pay 6.5% more for tuition, while also noticing a 7% decrease on the investment back into their education, across all departments.

The Board of Regents voted to pass President Cunningham’s 2026 budget in a 9 to 3 vote.

In-state students will now pay $16,132 per year, while out-of-state undergraduates will pay more than $39,000 per year.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Cunningham called out accusations of "administrative bloat." She says higher-ups at the University of Minnesota are being paid mid-market salaries, and they make up for a similar amount of the budget as that seen at other universities around the country.

What they're saying:

"There are no easy choices this year, higher education is facing unprecedented challenges, the University of Minnesota is not immune, and therefore we have to make difficult choices," Cunningham said.

"When the state doesn’t provide inflationary increases, and our university faces dramatic cutbacks in our federal research funding,  students and taxpayers inevitably will face more responsibility in paying for tuition costs," Cunningham said.

"I know some see the 7% cuts as confusing and painful, we all view them as painful. We are far from alone among universities across the country in making 7% cuts. Many universities are cutting 9% and more," Cunningham said.

During a recent public hearing, students and faculty members pushed back against the proposal to increase the tuition price. 

"By increasing tuition at rates far above inflation, while threatening to enact seven percent cuts, the university is showing its disregard for its mission to ensure accessible, world-class education for its undergraduate and graduate students," undergraduate student Henry Rosato said during the hearing. 

Officials say the budget tries to strike a balance between investing in the future against rising costs and cuts in federal funding.