The Board of Regents has made affordability its top priority for the 2024 fiscal year after its July meeting this week.
At the meeting, the board outlined different budget priorities, putting a tuition freeze for regental universities at the top of its list.
“We want our public universities to be able to recruit and retain students,” BOR Executive Director Brian Maher said. “And if we can offer tuition at the same level for three consecutive years, in this economy, we consider that a huge success for students and our state.”
Last year, the legislature approved an $8.6 million general fund increase for the board for FY23, freezing tuition and fees. This also allowed for a 6% pay increase for BOR employees.
The state usually covers less than half of employee salaries and benefits at public universities, while the rest was covered by tuition, fees and other charges.
The board hopes for a similar base increase for FY24 to once again freeze tuition rates.
“Continuing the trend of low to no increases in tuition and fees is critical to educating the next generation of South Dakotans,” BOR President Pam Roberts said. “If we can continue tuition affordability while offering competitive compensation at our public universities and specialty schools, it will be a real victory for the Regental system and our citizens.”
The average in-state tuition for an undergraduate student living on campus at the six Regental universities for the 2022-2023 school year is $18,195.
The board has also prioritized additional funds for increased construction costs, building updates and cybersecurity updates.
