Oregon Public Universities Raise Tuition Nearly 30% in a Decade as State Funding Lags Behind Inflation

The average inflation-adjusted cost of undergraduate tuition for Oregon residents at the state’s seven public universities next year will be nearly 30% higher than a decade ago, following increases being considered or adopted by every university board for the next school year.

Oregon undergrads enrolling at the state’s public universities will have to pay almost 30% more than those who embarked on their studies 10 years ago after Oregon’s Public Universities adopted increases for the 2025-2026 school year.

Oregon Undergrad Tuition Fee Increases 2025-2026

The latest annual increases of between 3% to 5% for the 2025-26 school year have been announced by all seven of Oregon’s public universities: Eastern Oregon University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Oregon State University, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, University of Oregon and Western Oregon University, although the increases differ across the various services.

As resident tuition increases over 5%- including mandatory fees such as student health fees- needs approval from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, this seems unlikely.

Education cost increases, like those in most industries, are driven by labor costs, and inflation affects costs across the board, from teaching materials to utility costs and insurance.

As Oregon’s inflation rate fluctuated, reaching highs and lows, the Common Sense Institute of Oregon indicated that the state’s Inflation Misery Index reached its highest level at the beginning of 2024—over double the last record peak at the start of the great recession.

The Colorado-based policy group State Higher Education Executive Officers Association rated Oregon 32nd among states for public investment in higher education.

About 25 years ago, public funding accounted for up to 75% of the cost of each full-time employee at an Oregon university but now covers about 50% or less.

Oregon’s per-pupil funding for full-time college students is estimated at around  $3,000 less than California and Washington spend on each student.

To relieve some of the pressure, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek recently recommended a 6.4% increase in higher education funding for the next two years, including an additional $25 million increase for the state’s needs-based financial aid program, Oregon Opportunity Grants.