EDUCATION

Abbott orders Texas public colleges to keep tuition flat

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Austin, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday directed all Texas public universities, colleges and health-related institutions to freeze undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees through the 2026-27 academic year. The written directive, sent to university presidents, continues a statewide policy that began with actions and legislation first implemented in 2023. The freeze covers two-year and four-year institutions and affects tuition, academic fees and course fees for Texas resident undergraduates; the state also increased student financial aid by $328 million in the most recent legislative session. Institutions must comply with the governor's letter this academic cycle, and coverage noted Texas remains an outlier compared with systems that have enacted tuition increases.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

2023 — Governor Abbott signs law requiring tuition freezes for 2023-24 and 2024-25.
2023–2025 — Abbott continues to push for tuition and fee freezes statewide.
Recent legislative session — State increases student financial aid funding by $328 million.
Two years prior — Additional directives or orders referenced extending freeze coverage to later academic years.
This week (Wednesday) — Abbott sends letters directing institutions to keep undergraduate tuition and fees flat through 2026-27.

Why This Matters to You

If you're a Texas resident with kids in college, or you're planning to attend a public university yourself, this freeze means your tuition costs won't rise until at least 2026. Check with your institution to confirm they're following the governor's directive.

The Bottom Line

Governor Abbott's tuition freeze, coupled with increased financial aid, aims to make higher education more affordable for Texans. Worth forwarding if you know someone navigating the cost of college in the Lone Star State.