Greg Abbott says he won’t support tuition increases

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Governor Greg Abbott said Wednesday that he will not support any tuition increases at Texas colleges and universities for at least the next two years, continuing the current tuition freeze.

In a letter to public colleges and universities, Abbott said he had spoken to all of the university system’s Boards of Regents, whose members agreed with his position.

“The state has made historic investments in higher education, including increased funding for universities and financial aid programs,” Abbott wrote in his letter. “These efforts reflect our commitment to ensuring that higher education remains accessible and affordable for all Texans. When all Texans have access to high-quality, affordable education, they can earn better wages, meet the qualifications of the workforce, and experience a higher quality of life. I will ensure that college affordability remains a top priority for the state as we move into the next legislative session.

During the last legislative session, lawmakers allocated another $700 million in the state budget for Texas’ public universities.

University leaders asked for the additional money at the start of the session and agreed to keep student tuition flat for the 2024-2025 budget cycle if the state provided the financial boost.

The average cost of attendance for out-of-state students attending a public university is $28,724, including tuition and fees, housing, books and other costs. Tuition and fees average just over $10,200.

The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.