College students across Idaho will face higher costs when they return to campus this fall, following a unanimous decision by the State Board of Education to raise tuition and fees at all four public universities.
The increases range from 4.4% to 4.7% — the steepest jumps in three years. Full-time in-state undergraduates will see annual costs climb between $350 and $425 depending on which school they attend.
Cost Breakdown by Institution
Boise State University will charge in-state undergraduates $9,789 in tuition and fees for the 2026-27 academic year, up $425 from the current $9,364. That represents a 4.5% increase.
Idaho State University’s costs will rise from $8,914 to $9,339 — a $425 increase and the largest percentage jump at 4.7%.
The University of Idaho will match Boise State’s dollar increase, going from $9,400 to $9,825, also a 4.5% boost.
Lewis-Clark State College will see the smallest increase at $350, bringing annual costs from $7,876 to $8,226, a 4.4% rise.
Out-of-state undergraduates will pay between $23,938 at Lewis-Clark State and $29,477 at Boise State. In-state graduate students will face costs ranging from $11,117 at Lewis-Clark State to $11,796 at the University of Idaho.
Idaho State announced it will freeze graduate tuition to remain competitive with peer institutions, even as undergraduate costs climb.
Where the Money Will Go
The tuition increases will generate approximately $17.6 million across Idaho’s higher education system. Boise State will collect the largest portion at $8.3 million.
Universities outlined plans to direct the additional revenue toward specific needs. Boise State indicated nearly $2 million will fund financial aid programs, fraud detection systems, and a degree-tracking tool aimed at improving student retention and graduation rates.
The institution also cited the need to avoid eliminating faculty and staff positions during a period of enrollment growth. Boise State stated the funds would address urgent faculty hiring needs in engineering and health sciences — two programs currently at capacity.
The University of Idaho plans to use part of its $4.3 million in new tuition revenue to establish a counseling and mental health center, which university student leadership identified as a top priority.
Student and Board Reactions
Student government responses varied across campuses. University of Idaho student body president Seyi Arogundade described the planned mental health center as critical for student wellbeing in a March 30 statement.
Lewis-Clark State student body president Rayne Martinez called the increases minimal and said they would ultimately benefit students.
Boise State’s student government passed a resolution opposing significant tuition increases, though the statement did not specifically reference next year’s 4.5% hike.
State Board President Kurt Liebich questioned whether Boise State’s increase crossed the threshold into significant territory. Interim CFO Stacy Pearson said the university reduced its initial request from 6.5% to 4.5% after a public hearing in March where officials heard student concerns.
Budget Pressures Drive Decision
The tuition increases follow a difficult legislative session for Idaho higher education. The four public universities absorbed a disproportionate share of state budget cuts while K-12 education remained largely protected from reductions.
Higher education took a $14.6 million cut in the current budget year ending June 30. For the coming year, cuts will reach $26 million, including reductions built into the ongoing budget base.
State Board Executive Director Jennifer White acknowledged in a memo to board members that modest tuition increases could discourage enrollment, but noted the need to sustain programs serving Idaho students. She wrote that tuition cannot serve as the primary long-term solution to financial pressures facing the institutions.
University of Idaho CFO Brian Foisy said budget pressures have accumulated at his institution following a three-year tuition freeze before the COVID-19 pandemic and two subsequent years of smaller increases. He said this fall’s increase addresses inflation and rising salary and benefit costs, not inefficiency.
What Comes Next
The approved increases take effect when the fall 2026 semester begins. Universities will implement their funding plans for financial aid, new programs, and facility improvements over the coming academic year.
The State Board will continue monitoring enrollment figures and student financial aid usage to assess the impact of the higher costs. Whether state lawmakers restore funding in future legislative sessions remains uncertain, leaving open the possibility of additional tuition increases in subsequent years if budget pressures persist.