A private KY college is freezing tuition for the coming year. State schools not so much

The University of the Cumberlands, a private school in Williamsburg, recently announced it will be freezing tuition for the 2022-23 school year.

“By locking in tuition and room and board rates for another year, students can focus on their studies without worrying about the cost of attendance increasing,” University President Dr. Larry Cockrum said in a July 5 press release.

So where do Kentucky’s eight public universities stand? Here’s the breakdown of tuition rates for in-state students at Kentucky universities for the 2022-23 year. We’ve listed them from most expensive to least.

Student fees and other charges have not be included, except in the case of the University of Louisville, which bundles its tuition and fees into one bill, according to University of Louisville spokesman John Karman.

University of Kentucky

Tuition: $6,429 per semester

The University of Kentucky, in Lexington, is the most expensive of the state schools.

Tuition increased from the 2021-22 school year by $124.

In June, the university’s board of trustees approved the institutions largest budget ever, including the 2% tuition and fees increase.

“This budget is an expression of our values and our ambitions,” UK President Eli Capilouto said at the time. “It is a demonstration of faith that we are poised and positioned to advance our state when it needs us most.”

Asked about the possibility of tuition freezes in an email, a UK spokesperson forwarded a university announcement that acknowledged the 2% increase to tuition and fees while also touting “a record $160 million in financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid” to offset increased college costs for students.

University of Louisville

Tuition: $6,162 per semester

The University of Louisville raised its undergraduate, resident tuition from $6,087 per semester to $6,162 per semester for the 2022-23 academic year, according to its fiscal year 2023 operating budget.

The $150 per year hike was due to an increase in mandatory student fees, university spokesperson John Karman explained in an email.

“The $75 per semester increase was to mandatory fees. Tuition and fees are bundled, meaning the students get one bill for everything,” Karman wrote.

Asked about a tuition freeze, Karman replied “There was no increase to undergraduate tuition. There was a $150 increase to mandatory fees” per year.

Western Kentucky University

Tuition: $5,556 per semester

Western Kentucky University, located in Bowling Green, will see a $60 increase in tuition this academic year from 2021-22.

WKU was among four state universities that froze tuition for the 2020-21 school year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson confirmed tuition will increase 1.19%, but did not comment on whether the university had considered a tuition freeze this year.

Northern Kentucky University

Tuition: $5,104 per semester

Northern Kentucky University, located in Highland Heights, will see a tuition increase of $100 from the 2021-22 school year.

The university was among four state universities that froze tuition for the 2020-21 school year.

“NKU’s undergraduate tuition will be raised about 2% for the upcoming 2022-23 academic year. This was approved by the NKU Board of Regents in March,” public relations specialist Clayton Castle told the Herald-Leader.

The representative did not say whether the university had considered a tuition freeze this year.

Eastern Kentucky University

Tuition: $4,772 per semester

Eastern Kentucky University, located in Richmond, will see a tuition increase of $46 from the 2021-22 academic year.

“We believe we had the lowest increase compared to Kentucky Public Universities this year,” Director of Public Relations Sarah Baker said, in part, in an email. “Even with these modest increases, EKU’s overall cost of attendance is still approximately 4% lower than it was for the 2019-20 academic year thanks to the BookSmart program and the savings this brings to students and their families. Our BookSmart program gives free textbooks to all undergraduate students.”

Baker did not comment on whether university leadership had considered a tuition freeze this year.

EKU was among four state schools to freeze tuition for the 2020-21 school year.

Murray State University

Tuition: $4,716 per semester

Murray State University’s tuition will increase by $90 over the 2021-22 school year.

Murray was among four state universities that froze tuition for the 2020-21 school year.

The university did not respond to a request for comment on tuition freezes.

Morehead State University

Tuition: $4,620 per semester

Morehead State University’s tuition will see a $79 increase from the 2021-22 school year.

The university did not respond to a request for comment on tuition freezes.

Kentucky State University

Tuition: $3,850 per semester (as of 2021-22)

According to The State Journal, Kentucky State University increased tuition for the 2022-23 year by 2%, bringing it to $3,927 for in-state tution of fees.

A KSU spokesperson did not return an email seeking the university’s most up-to-date tuition and fee schedule or tuition freezes.

Reporter Monica Kast contributed to this story, which may be updated.

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