ATLANTA — Georgia students can rejoice after the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia voted to eliminate the special institution fee and not raise tuition at most of their institutions, according to a release.
The one exception is Middle Georgia State University, which USG said is undergoing a three-year plan to align undergraduate tuition with other universities. Students at Middle Georgia could see an increase from $17 per credit hour for in-state undergraduates to $64 per credit hour for out-of-state undergraduates.
“The university system’s longstanding commitment to affordability helps empower students, keeping them on track to learn the skills they need to get good jobs in a highly skilled workforce,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said.
Systemwide, USG decided to eliminate the special institution fee, mandatory since 2009. This will put $170 to $544 per semester back into students' pockets, depending on what school they attend, USG said. The fee was established to help pay for "high-quality" academic programs and operations due to a reduction in state funding caused by the Great Recession, USG said.
"Affordability is one of the board’s highest priorities as our institutions work to increase degree attainment and maintain Georgia’s ranking as one of the best public university systems in the nation," Board Chairman Harold Reynolds said.
The board said the state is increasing its budget by $230 million, allowing them to waive the fee.
"We are grateful to Governor Kemp and the General Assembly for passing a state budget this year that provides record support for public higher education and USG institutions statewide," Perdue said.
USG said among the 16 states a part of the Southern Regional Education Board; they have the third-lowest median in-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at four-year institutions. The board said they've not increased tuition five times in seven years.
Find tuition rates for all USG institutions here.