The University of Memphis Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to approve a 4.92% increase in tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students. This increase amounts to an additional $264 per semester based on a typical 15-hour course load. The vote was held during the board’s quarterly meeting at the UofM Lambuth Campus.
The decision to raise tuition comes in response to rising operational costs. The additional revenue will support a range of University priorities, including expanded academic programs, student support services and campus safety initiatives.
“This increase reflects our ongoing commitment to preserving academic excellence and student success while maintaining affordability,” said Board of Trustees President Cato Johnson. “We are making targeted investments that will strengthen the student experience and prepare our graduates for success.”
The University has taken numerous steps over the past several years to contain costs and keep tuition as low as possible. As a result, the UofM has had one of the lowest average tuition increases in Tennessee at 1.8% over the past six years, including two years with no tuition and fee increase at all.
Among the initiatives the increased tuition will support are:
- Launch of a new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the Lambuth Campus, set to begin in Fall 2026
- Launch of The Polytechnic @ UofM Initiative, focused on workforce needs in applied technology fields such as advanced manufacturing, applied cybersecurity, applied artificial intelligence and organizational leadership
- Staffing and operational support for the University’s new Crime Information Center
- Expanded programming in the Division of Student Affairs and renewed funding for the Office of First-Generation Student Success, which lost federal support this year
- Cost increases tied to software, utilities and property insurance
“These are real investments in safety, innovation and student support,” added Johnson. “We’ve taken every step to minimize the impact on students and families, but we also have a responsibility to ensure the University is equipped to deliver the quality education our students deserve.”
Tuition, along with state appropriations, supports 84% of the costs of education and general operations of the University, while mandatory fees support a variety of University-provided student services and operational functions.
The tuition increase remains below the 6.5% maximum approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for the 2025-26 academic year. The average annual financial aid award at UofM for undergraduate students is $11,136, with 86% of the students receiving some level of financial assistance.
Media Contact:
Parker King, Assistant Director
University Media and Public Relations
University of Memphis
