Updated
In Summer 2021, the University of California (UC) Regents will likely consider a proposal to raise tuition by 2% plus inflation starting in Fall 2022. Tuition would be frozen for six years for the Class of 2026 (those students starting college in Fall 2022).
Then, each year, tuition would again be raised 2% plus inflation, each subsequent tuition increase frozen for six years, allowing enough time for the incoming class to matriculate. Inflation is defined as the three year rolling average of the California Consumer Price Index.
Any tuition increase would be capped at 5% unless changed by approval of the University of California Regents.
UC leaders are citing increasing costs from enrollment growth, without greater subsidies from the state or additional revenues. Last Fall 2020, the UC also announced a nearly $2.7 Billion deficit related to the COVID-induced shift to virtual learning and the reduction of revenue from housing and dining fees, which may be offset by the latest $685 million from the most recent Federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Thus, for current high school students and even those still in middle school, families may want to plan for annual tuition increases in the coming years if students are considering applying and enrolling at any University of California (UC) campus.
Update: On July 22, 2021, the University of California Regents approved the tuition increases starting in Fall 2022 and continuing through Fall 2026 enrollment.
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