Heads up, Vegas students and parents – we have some troubling news. It looks like getting a degree in Nevada is about to get a little pricier starting this year.
The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents just gave the green light to a new plan that will bump up tuition over the next few years. If you’re a Rebel at UNLV, a Scorpion at Nevada State, or taking classes at CSN, this is something you should know and prepare for.
What’s changing when it comes to studying in Nevada?
Starting in the fall of 2026, tuition and fees are going to start creeping up. It’s not happening all at once, though. The plan is to phase it in gradually through the 2028-29 school year. For students at UNLV, this looks like a 3% hike in the first year, followed by 4% and then 5%.
By the time 2029 rolls around, full-time students at the big universities could be paying about $1200 more per year.
Why the hike?
Basically, the state’s temporary bridge funding (money that was helping cover costs) is expiring in 2027. Officials say without this extra cash from tuition, they’d be looking at some pretty rough budget cuts, including layoffs and reducing student services.
It’s not all bad news, though. The increases won’t apply to dual-enrollment students, or to professional programs at UNLV and UNR. And while nobody likes paying more, the Regents say this move is necessary to keep our campuses fully staffed and running smoothly.