In a decision approved by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees finance committee, tuition for out-of-state undergraduates will rise by 3% at UA and UAB and by 4% at UAH. Each of the schools’ in-state undergraduate tuition rates will rise by 2.5%.

Similarly, the Auburn University Board of Trustees also decided to raise tuition by 3% at both Auburn University and Auburn University Montgomery. That change was voted into effect last August and will take place this fall.

Troy and Jacksonville State University are also raising tuition rates per credit hour.

Last year, out-of-state tuition was raised but in-state tuition remained the same. This year’s increase for in-state students will total out to less than $200. For out-of-state students, it will be around a $500 increase.

Board members approved the increase in order to upkeep “academic excellence.”

“Each year, we carefully and seriously consider our university’s tuition rates, and any time there is a proposed change, it is necessary to advance our system wide commitment to academic excellence, ensure financial stability and manage increasing costs,” said Dana Keith, the UA System’s Vice Chancellor for Finance & Administration.

Undergraduate in-state Auburn University students will see a yearly tuition increase of roughly $350, while out-of-state students will see a raise of almost $1,000. Undergraduate in-state AUM students will see a yearly tuition increase of roughly $370, while out-of-state students will see a raise of over $700.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.