State System of Higher Education hopes to keep in-state tuition freeze

The Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education reaffirmed Thursday its desire to freeze in-state undergraduate tuition for the 2024-25 school year.

If PASSHE receives the state funding increase it requested, tuition will stay frozen for the seventh consecutive year. The ongoing rate has been $7,716 per year.

“We are grateful for the commonwealth’s increased investment in PASSHE universities in recent years, which has helped us freeze tuition since 2018. We are optimistic that additional state investment will continue,” said Chair Cynthia Shapira.

The board said it will hold a special public meeting to set the tuition rate in the “near future” — after state funding information for PASSHE is available. Pennsylvania’s budget negotiations are being monitored, the board said.

Universities in the state system serve the most in-state students of any four-year higher education system in Pennsylvania, the board said — as nearly 90% of PASSHE’s 82,000 students are Pennsylvania residents, and many are from low- and middle-income families.

“PASSHE wants to freeze tuition again to help students and families afford a valuable college degree at the lowest price,” said Chancellor Dan Greenstein. “We appreciate the discussion with state leaders in Harrisburg about the best ways to invest in students, expand access to college and support Pennsylvania’s workforce.”

The State System universities are Cheyney, Commonwealth (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield), East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Millersville, PennWest (California, Clarion and Edinboro), Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester universities of Pennsylvania.