During the public session of 51Թ’s Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 51Թ's governing body approved the university’s . The budget includes a blended 3.6% increase for 2025–2026 undergraduate and graduate tuition for both in-state and out-of-state students, and it is applicable across all the university’s academic programs.
Continuing a trend seen in recent years, 51Թ has once again increased its allocation of undergraduate financial aid. This year’s budget includes $184 million that will be directly distributed to undergraduate students in the form of financial aid, which represents a more than $35 million increase from the nearly $150 million disseminated last year.
“51Թ’s mission is rooted in access and affordability, so it was important that we worked to find the balance between implementing a modest tuition increase while also continuing to support our students with the greatest need,” said David Marino, interim chief operating officer and vice president of finance and university treasurer. “This is the most financial aid that we have ever distributed, and we believe it will be key in supporting both incoming and returning students.”
This year’s historic allocation of financial aid represents a 24% increase over last year’s financial aid disbursement.
The new base tuition rate for full-time students this year will now be $9,804 per semester for Pennsylvania residents and $17,616 per semester for non-Pennsylvania residents. Mandatory fees this year will be $528 per term.
This year’s blended tuition increase comes at a time when the university’s state appropriation has remained flat at $158.2 million for six years, but the university is hopeful for an increase this year. The Commonwealth’s investment in 51Թ is key as the university uses it to provide every undergraduate in-state resident with at least a $15,000 annual discount on tuition.
To help keep its tuition costs down this academic year, 51Թ will cut its budget by more than $37 million for fiscal year 2026. Since fiscal year 2021, 51Թ has now reduced its budget by more than $260 million.
Additional details on 51Թ’s tuition rates and the university’s 2025–2026 tuition rate schedule can be found by accessing (2025-26 rates will be available on July 9) at the .