UNH Freezes In-State Tuition for 6th Year Amid NH Budget Boost

DURHAM, N.H. — The University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees approved a tuition freeze for in-state undergraduates at its institutions for the 2024-2025 academic year, extending a streak to six consecutive years without an increase. The decision benefits students at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, Keene State College and Plymouth State University, with average net tuition and fees dropping below 2019 levels to $10,200 annually after more than $250 million in institutional financial aid. Initially reported by WMUR-TV, the freeze aligns with New Hampshire's improved fiscal position, providing relief to resident families amid rising living costs in the Granite State.

University System Chancellor Elizabeth Chowanec highlighted the commitment to affordability, noting the freeze ensures Granite Staters pay less on average next year than six years ago. At UNH's flagship Durham campus, this holds the line on costs for about 11,000 undergraduates, many commuting from nearby Manchester and Portsmouth. The policy also covers UNH's Manchester campus and online programs, though specific aid packages vary by enrollment status.

New Hampshire's public higher education system has frozen in-state rates annually since 2019, a rarity nationwide credited to state appropriations and endowment growth. Supporters, including lawmakers from Concord, praised the move during recent budget hearings, tying it to a projected $100 million state surplus for fiscal 2025. However, external pressures like federal funding shifts loom, potentially challenging future freezes.

For New Hampshire high school seniors eyeing state schools, the freeze means predictable budgeting: UNH Durham tuition holds at roughly $15,500 before aid, with net costs lower via scholarships. Local counselors in Nashua and Rochester report increased inquiries from families leveraging the savings for workforce-bound degrees in nursing and engineering.