University System of Georgia sets tuition for 2019-2020 academic year

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) today approved tuition rates for the 2019-2020 academic year. Systemwide, depending on the type of institution, the increase translates to $35 to $125 per semester for a full-time, in-state undergraduate student, or 2.5 percent.

The Board did not raise tuition in 2016 or 2018, and by limiting the increase to 2.5 percent for the 2019-2020 academic year, has held increases to an average of 1.7 percent annually during the past five years, less than the rate of inflation. According to a recent report by Georgia's auditor, tuition rates charged by USG institutions averaged 25 percent less than rates charged by peer institutions in other states.

"Limiting tuition increases to 2.5 percent will help enable institutions to balance the critical needs of affordability and quality for students and families," Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. "At the same time, USG will continue building upon systemwide initiatives to ensure on-time college completion, increase student access to free textbooks and reduce student borrowing. USG institutions are advancing our priorities of affordability, efficiency and degree attainment while continuing to provide students with a high-quality education."

USG last year launched a systemwide, comprehensive effort to increase students' successful degree completion and on-time graduation. This initiative, known as the Momentum Year, is the first of its kind in the country.

At the same time, USG is implementing a systemwide financial literacy initiative called Know More, Borrow Less. It's designed to reduce student borrowing, increase their understanding of debt and provide them with timely, customized information about their student loans.

The Board also continues to ensure fees charged by USG institutions are kept to a minimum. Eleven of USG's 26 institutions will be allowed limited fee increases for the upcoming academic year, ranging from $4 to $50 per semester for a full-time, in-state undergraduate student.

"USG continues to offer some of the lowest tuition rates among peer state public higher education systems," Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs Tracey Cook said. "Out of the 16 states that make up the Southern Regional Education Board, USG ranks fourth-lowest in tuition and fees for four-year institutions, down from sixth-lowest last year."

USG currently provides free, open-source, online textbooks through the Affordable Learning Georgia initiative, which saves students $19 million a year. According to recent data by Rice University, two USG institutions rank among the top 10 schools nationwide for providing free online texts.

Tuition rates for each institution may be found at https://www.usg.edu/fiscal_affairs/tuition_and_fees.