(Reno, January 26, 2026) — Nevada college students will face higher tuition costs in the coming years after the Board of Regents approved a tuition increase on Friday.
The Nevada Board of Regents voted to increase tuition by 12% for universities and upper-division courses at community colleges over the next three years, citing a budget shortfall.
- The Board of Regents approved a tuition increase on January 23.
- Tuition will rise by 12% at universities and upper-division community college courses over three years.
- The increase is intended to cover a $47 million budget shortfall within the Nevada System of Higher Education.
- State-mandated staff raises, without full funding, contributed to the financial difficulties.
The Nevada Board of Regents voted eight to five on Friday to approve the tuition increase, which will affect universities and upper-division courses at community colleges over the next three years. Lower-division courses will see a nine percent increase. The increase amounts to approximately $1,200 per year for students at public universities and $400 for community college students, according to the Board.
Budget Shortfall Drives Increase
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Regents approved the increase to address a roughly $47 million budget shortfall within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). NSHE Chancellor Matt McNair assured the board that the decision was not made lightly. “This recommendation that we’re making is the best that we could do in terms of balancing value and affordability,” McNair said during the meeting. “We are certainly not abandoning affordability. We want our budget to reflect our values. We want our budget to reflect restraint, discipline, responsible stewardship, value, and a continued commitment to affordability and student services.”
Reporter Lucia Starbuck, who covered the meeting for KUNR Public Radio in Reno, explained that state-mandated staff raises were a primary driver of the budget problems. “In 2023, the state legislature approved cost-of-living adjustments, essentially raises for Nevada’s public universities and colleges,” Starbuck told State of Nevada. “Faculty had not gotten a raise in more than a decade. We were coming out of the pandemic. Staff had to take furloughs. There were hiring freezes. But even though the state required these raises, they did not fully cover the costs. They also used one-time funding, so it was always destined to run out.”
According to Starbuck, the regents faced a difficult choice. “It was either raise tuition or about more than 300 jobs were at risk, and during public comment, staff said that it could mean reductions in library services, counseling, tutoring, and similar services,” she added.
Impact on Students
The tuition increase is already causing concern among students. Kelechi Odunze, UNLV Student Body President, said students are worried about their ability to afford the added costs. “I’m hearing a lot of people saying they’re going to have to drop out or take on an additional job or reduce their course load, which is really hard,” Odunze said. “Many students are saying they’ll have to take out more loans. And so a lot of people are very concerned. We get it. Inflation is rising, and it is rising for students. When we go to the grocery store, we pay the same price for those items.”
What This Means for You
For Nevada students, this tuition increase means a direct financial burden. Those attending public universities can expect to pay roughly $1,200 more over the next three years, while community college students will see an increase of about $400. Students may need to adjust their financial plans, potentially taking on additional debt, reducing course loads, or seeking employment to cover the increased costs. The cuts to potential staff and services, if the tuition increase had not been approved, could have impacted the quality of education and support available to students.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by KUNR Public Radio and added independent analysis and context.
