Ohio University’s Board of Trustees approves a tuition increase while reports show strong enrollment numbers
By: Jenna Bolton
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — New students attending Ohio University starting this fall can expect to pay more for tuition, housing and meal plans after the board of trustees approved new rates last week.
Ohio residents attending the Athens campus full-time will pay $7,401 per semester, an increase of about $216. Out-of-state students will pay $13,288 per semester, an increase of about $633.
Regional campus students will also see tuition increases. Full-time Ohio residents attending regional campuses will pay $3,302 per semester, about $96 more than the previous year. Out-of-state students will pay $5,000 per semester, an increase of approximately $238.
Housing and dining costs are also going up.
Trustees approved a 3.2% increase for room rates and meal plans. As an example, the cost of a standard double room will rise from $4,339 to $4,477, an increase of $138. A Flex 14 meal plan will rise from $3,684 to $3,802, an increase of $118.
University officials said room and board revenue is projected to increase by $5.5 million next year because of the rate changes.
Student tuition and fees account for the largest share of the university’s revenue. For fiscal year 2027, they are projected at $452.2 million, or 48% of the university’s budget.
The budget also includes increased financial support for students. Graduate student aid is expected to increase by $2.7 million to support both traditional and online graduate programs. Undergraduate aid will increase by $1.6 million to help offset tuition increases and provide scholarship support for continuing students.
Meanwhile, Ohio University continues to see strong interest from prospective students despite challenges facing higher education nationwide as colleges and universities are competing for a smaller pool of students.
“The fall 2026 class is looking a little bit different, not just at Ohio University but across the nation as several external factors have made precise shifts in the American higher education landscape,” Vice President for Enrollment Management Candace Boeninger told trustees.
Applications for the Athens campus remain near record levels, with more than 26,000 applications submitted, a 5% increase over last year. University officials also reported strong deposit numbers and orientation registrations from incoming students. It is not known yet how many students offered admission will choose to attend.
Boeninger said the incoming class is expected to be slightly smaller than last fall’s cohort. The university is projecting overall enrollment to remain around 30,000 students this fall. Total enrollment last year was 30,962 students, placing the university roughly 1% to 2% behind 2025 levels while remaining on pace to meet enrollment projections.
Retention remains another bright spot for the university, which is on track to retain students from its record-setting 2025 freshman class at rates similar to last year, when first-year retention reached a 20-year high of 84.7%.
The university also reported a significant increase in graduates this year. Nearly 4,000 undergraduate degrees were awarded this spring, about 26% more than in 2025.
Boeninger said enrollment in online and graduate programs continues to show momentum, while enrollment at the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine remains steady.
Trustees also voted to extend the employment agreement of Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez by an additional three years.
Gonzalez began her tenure as president on July 1, 2023. The extension will keep her in the role through June 30, 2029.