Public higher education in Texas, and at UT, is still a great value. Our tuition is eighth among our 12-member national comparison group. The average amount of student debt is relatively low, and we continue to be listed as a good value by Kiplinger's and other publications.

—William Powers Jr.

Jump to Tuition Costs or How Tuition Is Used

How Tuition Is Set

The Texas Legislature in 2003 gave universities the authority to set their own tuition rates. (Learn more about tuition deregulation.) Tuition costs for Texas residents are among the lowest of all 50 states. Nonresident tuition costs compare favorably with those of other institutions.

Because state funding has not been able to keep up with rising costs, The University of Texas at Austin formed a Tuition Policy Advisory Committee in 2003 to recommend to the president a tuition policy that addresses the critical academic and financial needs of the university.

In developing its recommendations, the committee conducts public hearings, creates an informational Web site and seeks the involvement of families, students, faculty and many other constituencies. The president reviews the recommendations and forwards the proposal to the University of Texas System Board of Regents, which approves tuition and fee rates for the next years.

Committees Making Tuition Recommendations

Tuition Policy Advisory Committee

Fall 2010 TPAC Meetings
  • Sept. 23 – General Meeting
  • Oct. 4 – Overview of the University Budget (PDF) and Budget Forecast (PDF)
  • Oct. 18 – Overview of the State Legislative Process (PDF) and Discussion of Possible Issues Affecting Students (PDF) (Gwen Grigsby)
  • Nov. 1 – Joint Meeting with SSBC to Discuss How to Improve Communication and Integration of TPAC/SSBC Activities
  • Nov. 15 – History of Tuition From Deregulation to Present and Discussion of Specific Fees (Mary Knight and Kevin Hegarty)
  • Nov. 29 – Overview and Discussion of Non-Resident Tuition (John Dollard and Victoria Rodriguez)
  • Dec. 13 - Discussions about Summer Enrollment Efforts and How to Improve TPAC Communications with Students (John Dollard/Student Leadership)
TPAC Recommends Two-Year Increases for 2010-11, 2011-12 President's Tuition Proposal to the Board of Regents for 2010-11, 2011-12

Download Adobe Reader.

The principal purpose of the Tuition Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC) is to recommend to the president on a biennial basis the amount of tuition needed to fund the university's forecasted core academic budget, which includes expenses such as salaries, utilities and college programs.

The committee makes specific recommendations for undergraduate and graduate tuition rates for the next two years. (The rates for the professional law, business and pharmacy schools are set in consultation with the Provost’s Office rather than TPAC, but they must be approved by the Board of Regents.)

The deans, with appropriate student and faculty consultation, may request additional funding for their individual colleges and schools. The committee may also comment on key policy assumptions incorporated in the budget forecast. While it is desirable that a single recommendation be developed by consensus, the committee may make majority and minority recommendations.

Read more about the Tuition Policy Advisory Committee and its 2010-11 membership.

Student Services Budget Committee

The Student Services Fee Committee, now known as the Student Services Budget Committee (SSBC), is mandated by Subchapter B, Section 54.514 of the Texas Education Code to “advise the administration of The University of Texas at Austin on the type, level and expenditure of compulsory fees for student services collected at the university.”

The non-academic services funded by Student Service Fees are an important aspect in a student’s educational experience on campus.

Read more about the Student Services Budget Committee and its 2010-11 membership.