University of Central Florida and University of South Florida trustees voted to raise out-of-state tuition Thursday, meaning Florida’s five highest-enrolled universities will charge more for out-of-state tuition for the semester starting next month.
The 10% out-of-state tuition raise at the two institutions follows the University of Florida, Florida State University, and Florida International University in doing the same.
The difference, however, is that UF created a one-year waiver allowing students who can prove a “significant” financial hardship to not pay the increase.
“Obviously, this was not a banner year for universities as it relates to recurring funds from the state,” USF trustee chair Will Weatherford said during a virtual special meeting.
UCF is expected to increase its revenue by $9.5 million next year with the tuition increase, and USF by $9 million.
Florida universities are required by law to limit the number of out-of-state students enrolled, even with the increasing price that non-Floridians will pay.
“It’s not cheap to run a public university and we’re heavily subsidizing out-of-state students,” Weatherford, a former Florida House speaker, said, adding that trustees are trying to “find a balance.”
UCF trustees expressed a desire to make clear to students the financial aid options they will have after the tuition increase.
The Board of Governors approved last month a rule allowing universities to raise out-of-state tuition this academic year and next.
The maximum increase this year is 10%. Next year, institutions may vote to increase out-of-state tuition by 15%.
Out-of-state tuition had not increased at a Florida institution since 2012. In-state tuition has not increased since 2013.
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This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2025.