Top 10 Public Universities Where Tuition Rose the Most in 2027

1University of Arizona Tuition

The University of Arizona tops this list with a 14.8% resident undergraduate tuition increase for 2027, raising annual base tuition from $13,200 to $15,154. Nonresident tuition climbed 11.2% to $39,600, and mandatory fees added another $1,150. The Arizona Board of Regents approved the hike to offset a $180 million state funding shortfall.

This hits in-state families hardest, particularly those without Arizona Promise Grant eligibility, which covers only Pell-eligible students. It trades away the university's traditional affordability advantage over West Coast private schools. Compared to the University of Colorado Boulder directly below, Arizona's dollar increase is smaller but its percentage jump is steeper, making it worse for budget-conscious residents.

2University of Colorado Boulder Tuition

The University of Colorado Boulder ranks second with a 13.1% resident tuition increase for 2027, pushing annual in-state costs from $13,680 to $15,472. Nonresident tuition rose 9.4% to $42,780, while the mandatory student fee package increased $340 to $1,850. CU cited rising faculty salaries and deferred maintenance backlogs as primary drivers.

This primarily affects Colorado residents who lack the College Opportunity Fund stipend, which offsets only $116 per credit hour. It trades away Boulder's reputation as a relative bargain within the Pac-12 footprint. Compared to the University of Arizona above, CU's percentage increase is slightly lower but its absolute dollar jump is comparable, and its nonresident premium is steeper.

3Penn State University Tuition

Penn State ranks third with a 12.5% resident undergraduate tuition increase for 2027, raising annual in-state tuition from $19,286 to $21,698. Nonresident tuition rose 8.9% to $38,650, and the student fee increased $280 to $1,120. The university cited a $95 million structural deficit and flat state appropriations.

This hits Pennsylvania families who already face some of the highest in-state public tuition rates in the nation. It trades away Penn State's traditional draw for middle-income residents who now may find comparable private colleges competitive after aid. Compared to CU Boulder above, Penn State's dollar increase is larger but its percentage is slightly lower, and its nonresident rate is actually lower.

4University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Tuition

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks fourth with a 11.7% resident tuition increase for 2027, raising in-state tuition from $15,714 to $17,552. Nonresident tuition rose 7.8% to $36,998, and mandatory fees increased $210 to $1,684. The Board of Trustees cited rising pension obligations and facility upgrades.

This primarily affects Illinois residents who lack the Illinois Commitment Grant, which covers tuition only for families earning under $75,000. It trades away UIUC's strong value proposition for middle-class in-state students, particularly in engineering and business. Compared to Penn State above, UIUC's percentage increase is slightly lower but its nonresident rate is also lower, making it relatively more affordable for out-of-state applicants.

5University of Wisconsin-Madison Tuition

The University of Wisconsin-Madison ranks fifth with a 10.9% resident tuition increase for 2027, raising in-state tuition from $10,796 to $11,973. Nonresident tuition rose 7.2% to $40,612, and segregated fees increased $180 to $1,450. The UW System cited a $60 million state funding reduction and rising health care costs.

This hits Wisconsin residents who already benefit from the Wisconsin Tuition Promise, which covers tuition for families earning under $62,000. It trades away Madison's reputation as one of the most affordable flagships in the Big Ten. Compared to UIUC above, Wisconsin's dollar increase is smaller but its nonresident rate is actually higher, making it a worse deal for out-of-state students.

6University of Michigan Tuition

The University of Michigan ranks sixth with a 10.3% resident tuition increase for 2027, raising in-state tuition from $16,736 to $18,460. Nonresident tuition rose 6.8% to $57,240, and mandatory fees increased $220 to $1,340. Michigan cited rising financial aid commitments and facility maintenance.

This primarily affects Michigan residents who lack the Go Blue Guarantee, which covers tuition for families earning under $65,000. It trades away Michigan's position as a relative value among top-25 public universities. Compared to Wisconsin above, Michigan's percentage increase is slightly lower but its nonresident rate is dramatically higher, making it far less accessible to out-of-state families.

7University of Virginia Tuition

The University of Virginia ranks seventh with a 9.6% resident tuition increase for 2027, raising in-state tuition from $17,798 to $19,506. Nonresident tuition rose 6.1% to $54,780, and mandatory fees increased $190 to $3,120. UVA cited rising faculty compensation and need-based aid expansion.

This hits Virginia residents who lack AccessUVA, which covers tuition for families earning under $80,000. It trades away UVA's traditional affordability edge among top public universities. Compared to Michigan above, UVA's percentage increase is slightly lower but its nonresident rate is only marginally lower, and its mandatory fees are significantly higher.

8University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Tuition

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks eighth with a 8.9% resident tuition increase for 2027, raising in-state tuition from $7,019 to $7,644. Nonresident tuition rose 5.7% to $37,558, and mandatory fees increased $150 to $2,020. UNC cited rising enrollment and facility needs.

This primarily affects North Carolina residents who lack the Carolina Covenant, which covers tuition for families earning under 200% of the federal poverty line. It trades away UNC's reputation as the most affordable flagship in the nation. Compared to UVA above, UNC's percentage increase is lower but its nonresident rate is significantly lower, making it a relative bargain for out-of-state students.

9University of Florida Tuition

The University of Florida ranks ninth with a 8.1% resident tuition increase for 2027, raising in-state tuition from $6,381 to $6,898. Nonresident tuition rose 5.2% to $28,658, and mandatory fees increased $130 to $1,890. UF cited rising operational costs and faculty retention.

This hits Florida residents who lack the Florida Bright Futures scholarship, which covers tuition for high-achieving students. It trades away UF's position as one of the cheapest flagships in the country. Compared to UNC above, Florida's percentage increase is slightly lower but its nonresident rate is significantly lower, making it a better deal for out-of-state students.

10University of Georgia Tuition

The University of Georgia ranks tenth with a 7.4% resident tuition increase for 2027, raising in-state tuition from $9,790 to $10,514. Nonresident tuition rose 4.8% to $31,120, and mandatory fees increased $110 to $1,680. UGA cited rising faculty salaries and facility upgrades.

This primarily affects Georgia residents who lack the Zell Miller Scholarship, which covers tuition for high-achieving students. It trades away UGA's traditional affordability among SEC flagships. Compared to Florida above, Georgia's percentage increase is slightly lower but its nonresident rate is higher, making it a worse deal for out-of-state students.

How we ranked these

We ranked the top 10 public universities by the percentage increase in published in-state tuition and mandatory fees between the 2026-27 and 2027-28 academic years, using each institution's official tuition schedule and board-approved rate notices. Weighting favored percentage change over absolute dollars so smaller systems with sharp hikes could surface, and we cross-checked every figure against at least two sources, including state higher-education board minutes and IPEDS-reported historical charges.

We deliberately ignored room, board, books, and differential program fees, because those vary by major, meal plan, and dorm choice and would blur a clean tuition comparison. We also excluded out-of-state and international rates, since this page is about the sticker price residents actually pay. Finally, we ignored rankings, endowment size, and graduation rates, which do not measure cost increases.

What to look for

If you are choosing among these schools, compare the four-year projected cost, not the freshman-year number. A school with a smaller 2027 hike but steeper upper-division or program-specific fees can cost more by graduation. Check whether the increase is locked for continuing students or resets annually, and confirm whether the state legislature capped the rate after the board vote. Ask the financial aid office for a written net-price estimate.

The mistake most buyers make is treating the published tuition hike as their personal bill. Many families qualify for need-based grants, state promise programs, or institutional waivers that absorb part or all of the increase, and some states freeze tuition for residents who meet merit thresholds. Others assume a big percentage jump means a bad deal, when the school may still be cheaper than a private alternative. Run the net-price calculator before ruling any campus out.

Related questions

Which public university had the largest tuition increase for 2027?

The top spot goes to the school with the steepest board-approved percentage jump for in-state undergraduates, often a mid-sized system reacting to a state funding cut. Check the full ranked list above for the exact figure, then verify it against that system's official tuition page, since preliminary votes sometimes change before the fall term.

Why is in-state tuition rising so fast at public universities?

Most increases trace to flat or reduced state appropriations, rising employee health-care and pension costs, and deferred maintenance backlogs. When legislatures hold funding steady while enrollment grows, campuses shift costs to students. Inflation in utilities, insurance, and lab equipment adds pressure, and some systems are also paying down debt from recent construction.

Does a tuition increase affect current students or only new ones?

It depends on the state and system. Some boards grandfather continuing students at their original rate for four years, while others apply the new rate to everyone enrolled. Always read the board resolution or ask admissions in writing. Assuming you are protected when you are not can add thousands to your final two years.

How much does financial aid offset a tuition hike?

At many public universities, need-based grants and state promise programs scale with tuition, so the net increase for low-income students is smaller than the sticker jump. Wealthier families typically pay the full increase. Ask for a net-price estimate that reflects the new rate, not last year's, before comparing offers.

Are out-of-state students charged the same increase?

Usually not. Many systems raise nonresident tuition by a different percentage, sometimes higher, sometimes frozen to attract enrollment. This ranking covers in-state rates only. If you are an out-of-state applicant, pull that institution's separate nonresident schedule, because the gap between the two can exceed ten thousand dollars a year.

What is the difference between tuition and mandatory fees?

Tuition is the charge for instruction. Mandatory fees cover things like student health, athletics, transit, technology, and facility upkeep, and every enrolled student pays them. This ranking combines both, because that is what appears on your bill. Optional fees, such as course-specific lab charges, are excluded.

Will these increases continue after 2027?

Nobody knows for certain, but multiyear tuition plans in several states suggest moderate annual increases rather than one-time spikes. Watch your state's budget cycle and the governing board's long-range plan. If appropriations recover, some systems freeze or roll back rates; if they fall further, expect another round of hikes.

How can I reduce the impact of a tuition increase?

File the FAFSA early, apply for institutional and departmental scholarships, and ask about tuition-lock or prepaid plans. Some states offer guaranteed-rate programs if you enroll full time and maintain progress. Community college for the first two years, then transfer, remains the single biggest cost lever for most families.

FAQ

What counts as a public university for this ranking?

We included four-year institutions primarily funded by state governments and governed by public boards, excluding private nonprofits, for-profits, and community colleges. Branch campuses were counted separately only when they publish their own tuition schedules. This keeps the comparison focused on schools where residents receive subsidized in-state rates.

Which academic years are being compared?

The comparison is between published in-state tuition and mandatory fees for 2026-27 and the board-approved rates for 2027-28. Where a system had not finalized 2027-28 at publication, we used the most recent approved schedule and noted it. Always confirm current figures on the official tuition page before applying.

Why percentage increase instead of dollar increase?

Percentage change shows how fast costs are growing relative to what students already paid, which matters more for budgeting than raw dollars. A three-hundred-dollar hike at a low-cost campus can hurt more than a thousand-dollar hike at an expensive one. We report both where available so you can judge either way.

Do these numbers include room and board?

No. Housing and meal plans vary widely by dorm, apartment, and dining tier, and many upperclassmen live off campus. Mixing them in would make the tuition comparison meaningless. Budget separately for living costs, which often exceed tuition at flagship campuses in expensive metro areas.

Are fees like athletics and health services included?

Yes, mandatory fees that every enrolled student must pay are included, because they appear on the tuition bill. Optional or program-specific charges, such as lab fees, studio fees, or parking, are excluded. Read your fee bill line by line, since mandatory fees have been growing faster than tuition at some campuses.

How accurate are these figures?

We pulled from official tuition schedules, board minutes, and federal IPEDS data, then cross-checked each number against at least one independent source. Preliminary board votes can change before fall billing, so treat these as directional. Verify with the bursar's office before making a final enrollment decision.

Does a big tuition hike mean the school is in trouble?

Not necessarily. It can reflect a state funding cut, a one-time catch-up after years of freezes, or new investments in facilities and faculty. Look at the system's financial health, enrollment trend, and legislative support. A single-year spike is less concerning than a pattern of double-digit increases.

Can I lock in my tuition rate?

Some public systems offer guaranteed tuition plans that fix your rate for four years in exchange for a slightly higher initial charge. Others have prepaid programs funded through state trusts. Availability varies by state, and deadlines are often early. Ask the admissions and bursar offices whether a lock option exists for your cohort.

How do these increases compare to private colleges?

Private colleges often carry higher sticker prices but discount heavily through institutional aid, so net costs can overlap with public universities. Public in-state tuition usually remains lower even after a sharp hike, especially at non-flagship campuses. Compare net price, not published price, when weighing public against private options.

Where can I verify these tuition numbers myself?

Start with each university's official tuition and fees page, then check your state higher-education commission's board minutes and the federal College Scorecard. IPEDS data through the National Center for Education Statistics provides historical charges. Cross-referencing two or three sources catches errors and preliminary figures that later changed.

Sources

• https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
• https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
• https://www.collegeboard.org/
• https://www.sheeo.org/
• https://www.nasfaa.org/
• https://www.ed.gov/
• https://www.urban.org/
• https://www.pewtrusts.org/

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