LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents met Friday to discuss a possible 12% tuition increase.
According to the agenda report, the proposal would address a funding shortfall caused by expiring “bridge funding” allocated during the 2025 Legislative Session. This is expected to cover an estimated $46.5 million shortfall and support more than 300 jobs around the state.
Multiple versions of the proposal will be discussed, varying in the amount by which tuition would be increased and the time needed to implement the change.
The first option, which is recommended by the Chancellor, would see a 12% tuition increase for schools like UNLV, UNR, and Nevada State University. This would increase by 3%, 4%, and 5% over the next three school years, beginning in the fall of 2026.
This would raise tuition for full-time UNLV or UNR students who are Nevada residents to approximately $1,200 per year. NSU would see an increase for those same students to about $900 per year.
The proposal is expected to generate a surplus revenue of about $313,885 by 2028 to replace bridge funds, and an ongoing surplus of $7,904,003 to cover unfunded salary adjustments. It is also expected to support approximately 317 positions.
Other options to be discussed would include delaying the same increase until Fall 2027, so students can adequately prepare for the increase. The same increase proposed over three years would be expedited to happen over 2 years.
Another option would see the increase be reduced to 8%, which would result in a $17.2 million budget reduction and eliminate 102 jobs.
If no action is taken, the budget would be reduced by $41.3 million and would result in 317 jobs eliminated.
The board is expected to meet on Friday at 9:30 a.m.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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