Tuition Increases 2nd Year in a Row

Photo Courtesy of Oklahoma City University

On October 25^th, 2023, the Oklahoma City University Board of Trustees convened and voted to increase tuition rates and fees for the upcoming school year.  

Beginning in the summer of 2024, the annual undergraduate block tuition rate will increase by 3%. This is on the back of the 3% tuition increase announced in the fall of 2022, effective for the 2023-24 school year.  

Similarly, the per-credit-hour cost for undergraduates will increase by 3%, while annual housing fees will also increase by 3%. Residential meal plans will increase by 5%. However, the graduate, doctoral and law students will see no change to their tuition rates.  

The decision was also announced to eliminate the online technology fee and various undergraduate education and lab fees. Rather, the university fee will increase from $155 to $165 to account for the absolution of those fees.  

In a statement released to students from the OCU Communications Office, it is acknowledged that this is “only the third tuition increase at OCU in the past nine years” and “the first increase in dining costs since 2020.” 

While addressing a collection of student leaders on October 31^st at a Prexie club meeting, the monthly meeting for student organization presidents held by the Office of Student Engagement, President Evans was asked to address the topic of the tuition increase. He remarked about the challenge of making difficult decisions but lamented that, unfortunately, “the reality is, we have no choice [but to raise costs].” However, in a hopeful note, President Evans promised, “I will not let this happen next year.” 

Both President Evans and the address from the Communications Office acknowledge the sensitivity with which University leaders address the situation and swear to continue to deliver valuable resources to the student population.  

This decision comes during the national search for a new Chief Financial Officer for the university.