University of Missouri curators to vote on tuition increase

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri Board of Curators is expected to vote Thursday on a 4% across-the-board tuition increase for undergraduate courses at the system's four campuses.

The increases will range from $16.50 per credit hour at UMKC to $21 at UMSL. The Columbia campus would see a $19.11-per-credit-hour increase if the curators approve the measure during their video meeting.

The average cost for a semester at MU will increase by nearly $287, according to board documents.

Graduate and professional program rate increases will vary between 0.8% and 4.75% based on inflation and individual markets. Graduate tuition will increase by 3%.

Board documents state the increase at UM schools compares to the 2% to 4.5% range of tuition increases in the SEC and is lower than the 4.7% to 5% for other public institutions in Missouri.

The new rates would be in effect for fall 2026.

The amount brought in through tuition and fees at MU per full-time student has grown faster than the rate of inflation over the past decade.

The Missouri House approved a plan this year to start awarding universities funding based on their enrollment. That plan, which might have benefited larger schools such as MU, was later stripped from the state budget. However, lawmakers directed the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to study a way to reallocate higher education funding.