Tuition Increases

Tuition increases are an important part of ensuring the U of A continues to provide students with world-class, high-quality learning and research opportunities; and in turn, our programs and our graduates will remain not only competitive, but also leaders in their fields.

If approved, part of the proposed tuition increases will be reinvested back into student financial support — whether it’s at the start of your program or during the year, the university can provide you with financial support for your post-secondary needs. 

Undergraduate Tuition

Undergraduate Tuition Model

Graduate Tuition

Graduate Instructional Fees

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Finances, Funding + Support

Tuition Governance

In Alberta, post-secondary education is a shared cost between students, post-secondary institutions, and government. The Government of Alberta regulates most student tuition and fees at 20 institutions across the province via its tuition regulations and the Alberta tuition framework.

Tuition consultations happen annually as part of the U of A’s budget planning, and follow a rigorous process. Any proposed tuition increase must receive approval from the University of Alberta Board of Governors.

Tuition Budget Advisory Committee (TBAC)

The University of Alberta’s official mechanism for consultation with the student councils, as required in the regulation and framework, is the Tuition Budget Advisory Council (TBAC). This committee includes senior administration and the presidents of the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) and Students’ Union (SU).

Tuition Increase FAQ

Review the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about proposed tuition increases.

What drives tuition increases?

  1. A desire to maintain the quality of instruction and our academic mission 
  2. Increases in our cost drivers
    • Salaries and benefits — merit compensation and benefit increases (57% of costs) 
    • Materials and supplies (18% of costs)
    • Utilities (3% of costs) and maintenance (4% of costs)
    • Other (18% of costs)
  3. Gaps in our revenue
    • Government grants are not expected to increase to support instruction 

What will the additional tuition funds be used for?

Tuition covers all expenses related to instruction at the university, including: 

  • Instructor salaries 
  • Creation and maintenance of classrooms 
  • Creation and maintenance of study spaces 
  • Disposable supplies for teaching, activities and labs (materials owned or leased by students are covered by other fees)
  • Utilities 
  • Research that supports instruction and discovery
  • Libraries 

$23.2M (5.5%) of tuition revenue goes directly to student financial supports (2024-25).

Will increases apply to new international students starting their programs in 2025?

In 2019, the University of Alberta moved to a  program-based tuition model for incoming international students. Under this model, tuition is assessed based on an annual and total program tuition guarantee. This guarantee means the total cost of program tuition is calculated based on the requirement to complete the program and remains in place for the standard length of the program as defined by the government plus one additional year.

While tuition consultations happen annually throughout the fall and winter for the following academic year, the rate for cohort-based tuition for new international students is set one year in advance so we can provide the guarantee at the time of admission. 

The 2024/25 cohort tuition was approved in March 2023. The 2025/26 cohort tuition has not yet been determined.

Will the Government of Alberta’s announcement on a domestic tuition cap impact tuition for 2025/26?

Yes. In February 2023, the Government of Alberta announced plans to  limit domestic tuition increases to 2% annually, starting in 2024/25 and continuing for future academic years.

Will there be increases coming to Mandatory Non-Instructional Fees?

Mandatory Non-instructional Fees (MNIF) are fees that all students must pay for specific goods or services agreed to with the student body that enhance the student experience. Examples include fees for student athletics and recreation, health services, academic services, and student services. MNIFs are overseen by a Joint University Student Oversight Committee, with an agreement between the University and student associations that describes how fee increases are managed.

  • MNIFs increase annually by a cost-driver formula, known as the Academic Price Index. API for Fall 2025 will be calculated prior to fee assessments being issued this summer.

Where can I get help paying for my education?

See available information on finances, funding and support »

Undergraduate students

The University of Alberta awards over $40 million in undergraduate scholarships to continuing students each year. Applications will open in February 2025. Visit the Undergraduate Scholarships web page for more information and to apply.

Stay tuned for when applications for the  University of Alberta Students' Union Awards will open in 2025.

Graduate students

The  Graduate Students’ Association offers four types of funding to support graduate students during their degree programs. These funds are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.