UH proposes 2-year tuition freeze, increases beginning in 2029

from UH News, Sept 11, 2026 

The University of Hawaiʻi is proposing a new four-year tuition schedule that would keep undergraduate tuition unchanged at all 10 campuses for the first two years, followed by increases beginning in academic year (AY) 2029–30. The current schedule expires at the end of AY 2026–27. The proposal is on the agenda for the September 17 Board of Regents meeting for informational purposes only; no action will be taken.

The proposed schedule would cover AY 2027–28 through AY 2030–31, replacing the current schedule that expires at the end of AY 2026–27. The exception to the two-year freeze is tuition at the professional pharmacy program at UH Hilo’s Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy, where tuition would increase 5% annually beginning in AY 2027–28 to address operational needs and accreditation requirements.

Proposed tuition rates

At UH’s four-year campuses, undergraduate students pay a flat full-time tuition rate once they enroll in 12 credits per semester and can take additional credits at no additional tuition cost.

UH Mānoa

AY 2027–28 and 2028–29: No increase

AY 2029–30: 5% increase; resident undergraduate tuition increases from $11,760 to $12,360 annually

AY 2030–31: 5% increase; resident undergraduate tuition increases to $12,984 annually

The increases apply to undergraduate, graduate and professional tuition rates.

UH Hilo

AY 2027–28 and 2028–29: No increase for undergraduate and graduate tuition

AY 2029–30: 3% increase; resident undergraduate tuition increases from $7,632 to $7,872 annually

AY 2030–31: 3% increase; resident undergraduate tuition increases to $8,112 annually

Nonresident undergraduate tuition would increase by the same percentage.

Graduate and graduate nursing tuition would remain unchanged for all four years.

UH Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy

5% annual tuition increase in each of the four years

The additional revenue would support accreditation requirements, faculty and staff, research resources, technology, facilities and other operational needs.

UH West Oʻahu

AY 2027–28 and 2028–29: No increase

AY 2029–30: 3% increase; resident undergraduate tuition increases from $7,632 to $7,872 annually

AY 2030–31: 3% increase; resident undergraduate tuition increases to $8,112 annually

Nonresident undergraduate tuition would increase by the same percentage.

UH community colleges

AY 2027–28 and 2028–29: No increase in lower-division tuition

AY 2029–30: Resident lower-division tuition increases from $131 to $135 per credit

AY 2030–31: Resident lower-division tuition increases to $139 per credit

For a student taking 24 credits annually, tuition would increase from $3,144 today to $3,336 by AY 2030–31—an increase of $192.

Upper-division tuition would increase at the same levels as UH Hilo and UH West Oʻahu.

Summer school tuition for Hawaiʻi residents, reduced in 2025 to match the regular resident tuition rate, would continue at the same rate as resident lower-division tuition, including the proposed increases.

A decade of relatively flat tuition

UH tuition has remained relatively flat for a decade while operating costs have continued to rise. Recent increases in state funding have largely supported budget restorations, construction and facility improvements and negotiated salary increases, while tuition revenue has not kept pace with inflation and rising operational costs.

The proposal is intended to address those rising costs while maintaining affordability for Hawaiʻi students. About 90% of UH community college graduates and 65% of graduates from the four-year campuses complete their degrees without student loan debt.

Public review and approval process

Chancellors across the UH System notified their campus communities about the proposal and the start of the review process on September 11. The formal public review period begins September 18, followed by open public meetings on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Kauaʻi and Oʻahu from October 5–16. Feedback may be provided at the public meetings or submitted online, with details to be announced when available. A summary of public feedback and any revisions to the proposal are scheduled to be presented October 29, with the UH Board of Regents considering the final proposal on November 19.

If approved, the new schedule would be filed with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor by December 1 and take effect in fall 2027.