Penn State Jacks Tuition Up 6 Percent, Blames Inflation

STATE COLLEGE, PA — Both in and out of state undergraduate students at Penn State University will pay higher tuition next school year, as the school pointed toward both inflation and lingering consequences of the pandemic.

Residents would see a 5 percent increase at the University Park campus, and a 2 percent increase at other campuses. Non-residents would see a 6 percent increase at University Park and a 3 percent increase elsewhere.

“We understand the impact of a tuition increase on our students and families, and we do not take the decision to raise tuition lightly," Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the circumstances of our current budget made these increases necessary in order to maintain the highest-quality educational experiences for our students."

In addition to "historic" inflation and lower revenues and enrollment during the pandemic, Penn State said it has received less state funding per resident student than any other undergraduate university in the state.

Increasing tuition alone will not solve the school's ongoing budget issues, officials added. The university is looking at other ways to reduce expenses, and "additional cost-cutting measures and efficiencies will be required."

“The challenging budget environment we are facing will require careful examination of how we allocate our resources,” Bendapudi added.

A final budget will be approved in September. Until then, the university will operate on the budget that was approved in May.