The Arizona Board of Regents on Friday approved tuition increases for the state’s three universities.

The 3% increase at Arizona State University, for example, means a full-time resident student at the main Tempe campus will pay about $11,300. The University of Arizona tuition will be approximately $11,870 and Northern Arizona University, $11,350.

The board also voted for a new structure covering tuition growth rates for the next five years “to increase cost predictability for resident students” at the three schools, regents said.

The multi-year structure includes setting maximum tuition growth rates for a six-year period with the board revisiting tuition every four years thereafter, according to the release.

The new structure also provides a lever for the board to suspend any announced tuition increases if the state increases general fund appropriations by a similar amount for the universities. 

Tuition did not increase for two consecutive years during 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Rates were frozen to assist students and  families facing economic challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.

“Tuition rates for the 2023-24 academic year reflect modest growth as do maximum growth rates for the next five years. Our hope is for increased multi-year funding from the state so we can hold the line on tuition increases for students and families,” ABOR Chair Lyndel Manson said.

“Our students are increasingly challenged with rising inflation, housing costs and being able to afford college. Increased funding from the state will help more Arizona students realize their college dreams and contribute to our state’s workforce needs.”

The approved 2023-24 tuition and fees are available at: https://azregents.edu/sites/default/files/2023-04/Tuition_fees_2023.pdf

We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.