By News and Internal Communications

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – AUG. 25, 2023 – UTRGV’s reputation as one of the most affordable universities in the state received a boost Thursday when The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved a plan to freeze tuition and mandatory academic fees for the next two years at System institutions.

UTRGV has not raised tuition and mandatory academic fees since the 2021-22 academic year. That year, the university’s average total academic cost was $9,042 for full-time resident undergraduates, the lowest among the eight UT System academic institutions. For full-time resident undergraduates who received financial aid, the average net academic cost was $1,245 per year, again the lowest in UT System.

Overall, 86.2 percent of UTRGV’s full-time resident undergraduates received need-based aid in 2021-22. All 86.2 percent had their tuition and academic mandatory fees covered.

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the freeze on tuition and mandatory academic fees is great news, not only for UTRGV but for the entire Rio Grande Valley.

“At a time when the price of everything seems to be increasing, I am extremely proud and grateful that, at UTRGV, our students and their families still will have access to an affordable and high-quality higher education,” Bailey said. “When you’re already the most affordable college in the System, the addition of this freeze is icing on the cake. 

“On behalf of everyone at UTRGV, I’d like to thank our Board of Regents for authorizing this, and our state senators and representatives who provided additional funding this legislative session for universities so they could keep their price point low for Texas residents.”

WAIT – THERE’S MORE

In addition to a low average total academic cost, UTRGV also implements several initiatives to help keep tuition low for students:

• Tuition Advantage: Unveiled in Fall 2020, this program covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for students with a family income of $125,000 or less who have unmet financial need. 
• Guaranteed Tuition: UTRGV’s tuition is guaranteed for all students for four years, meaning tuition costs will not increase during this time period.
• 12-Hour Cap: UTRGV caps tuition charges at 12 hours – which means any additional courses a student enrolls in after 12 hours are free. For example, if a student enrolls in 15 hours, the extra class is free. If a student enrolls in 18 hours, the two extra classes are free.

“UTRGV remains committed to providing a quality, affordable education,” Bailey said, “and programs like these are key to making that happen. We want our students to be ready to venture into a competitive global workforce, well-prepared for whatever the future brings.”

Infographic by UTRGV Creative Services.