LAS VEGAS – The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents has postponed a vote on a proposal that could increase university tuition by up to 12 percent and community college fees by as much as 9 percent, saying they require additional financial analysis before proceeding. The measure is now expected to be revisited on January 16, 2026.
Escalating Costs Under the Proposed Framework
The tiered plan would raise nonresident tuition and mandatory fees at UNLV, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), and Nevada State University (NSU) by 3 percent in 2026, 4 percent in 2027 and 5 percent in 2028. Community colleges would see a 9-percent cumulative increase in lower-division course fees and a 12-percent increase in upper-division offerings.
These adjustments would sit atop automatic annual increases already scheduled through NSHE’s Predictable Pricing Program, which ties base registration fees to the Higher Education Price Index. System documents show that once fully implemented, resident undergraduates at UNLV and UNR would pay about $1,200 more per year, NSU students roughly $900 more, and community college students several hundred dollars more annually.
A Temporary State Allocation Set to Expire
The driving force behind the proposed hikes is a projected $46.5-million structural deficit that emerges when a one-time legislative appropriation runs out. Lawmakers provided a $57.5-million “bridge” allocation through Assembly Bill 568 during the 2025 session to help fund faculty and staff cost-of-living adjustments. That funding ends in fiscal year 2028; the salary obligations do not.
NSHE officials told regents that student fees account for about one-third of system operating revenue. Without a new revenue source, campuses may be forced to consider program reductions or other significant cost-containment measures once the temporary funding expires.
Affordability Concerns Mount Across Campuses
Students and faculty urged the board to slow the process, warning that higher costs could reduce access, especially for low-income and first-generation students who rely on financial aid and part-time work. Student leaders pressed for clearer modeling of enrollment impacts and greater transparency about alternatives to fee hikes.
Regents Seek a More Comprehensive Financial Roadmap
Before revisiting the proposal in January, the board has directed NSHE leadership and campus presidents to refine their projections, outline potential budget scenarios, and present additional options beyond tuition increases. A final decision will hinge on how regents weigh financial stability against the rising cost of attending Nevada’s public colleges and universities.
