The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved a 3% increase in student tuition and mandatory fees for the 2025-26 academic year on Friday, June 13.

Per semester, full-time undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees will increase by $202.50 for residents and $512 for non-residents, according to Finance Committee Recommendation 5, with full-time graduate students’ costs increasing by $219.50 for residents and $543.50 for non-residents.

UK Student Body President for the 2024-2025 academic year, Maddie Duff, was the only trustee to oppose the proposal, saying she couldn’t, “in good conscience,” vote for an increase in student costs.

“Out of respect for their voice, I will be voting no,” Duff said.  “I always keep in the forefront that I was elected by the students, to represent the students and do what’s best for the students.”

UK President Eli Capilouto attributed the rise in student costs to the university’s overall budget increase from $8.4 billion to $8.6 billion for the upcoming fiscal year, calling it “an investment in and commitment to the future of our Commonwealth.”

Raising faculty and staff pay is included in the 2025-26 budget, with Capilouto saying the university will invest “more than $80 million” in additional compensation and benefits for workers. 

UK Spokesperson Jay Blanton said the increase in compensation is partially intended to maintain a competitive rate to help attract and retain qualified faculty.

“It (tuition) goes toward the cost of instruction. It can go toward compensation for our employees,” Blanton said. “I think families, students and others would agree that we want the best faculty and staff to support students.”

The 2025-2026 budget is the largest in UK’s history, according to Blanton. 

“We seek to advance Kentucky, as we often say, in all that we do,” Capilouto said. “It (the 2025-2026 budget) proposes a modest increase in tuition and mandatory fees designed to hold down costs and increase access to the distinctive education that only we provide for Kentucky.”