For the first time in three years, Columbia will not raise tuition.
The Board of Trustees voted Monday, Nov. 17, to freeze undergraduate and graduate tuition for 2026–2027, citing affordability concerns and student pressure for predictability.
While tuition will remain flat, required student fees and residential housing rates will increase by about 3% to offset rising operational and contractual costs, according to an email announcing the decision. For fees, that amounts to about $23 more per year, and for housing it’s about $500 per year, depending on the dorm and type of room.
President and CEO Shantay Bolton talked to students about a possible increase during her first sit-down meeting on Oct. 21 with Student Government Association leaders. She said a decision about tuition rates would come just before Thanksgiving.
“I think it is a really big win for students that our current administration cares about what we have to say and really takes that into account,” said SGA President and junior fine arts major Jenna Davis.
For students, the announcement landed with a sense of relief even as questions remain about fees, housing and academic offerings if the college is bringing in less money.
“I think it’s a blessing,” said first-year illustration major Jaylian Alexandre. “I was really worried about tuition for next year, and now I don’t have to worry as much.”
Alexandre said she is looking forward to being able to keep paying off what she already owes instead of struggling with additional tuition costs on top of other expenses like class materials.
Antonio Lucero, a junior photography student, also welcomed the freeze.
“It just makes it easier because I rely on scholarships and things, and rising tuition is something that could affect that,” Lucero said.
However, Lucero said he is a little concerned about what this could mean for his campus and educational experience at Columbia as he had already observed some changes during registration this semester.
“I’ve noticed that certain courses aren’t being offered,” he said, “I feel a little limited in that way.”
Lucero isn’t alone, he is one of many students navigating fewer course offerings and schedule confusion as the college adjusts to lower enrollment and restructured academic programs.
Columbia’s fall enrollment fell by more than 1,000 students, dropping to 4,461 from 5,571 last fall. This smaller incoming class is just one factor contributing to the widening deficit, which has now climbed to about $40 million, marking a sharp rise from the college’s estimated $24 million deficit last fiscal year.
Because Columbia is tuition-dependent, it relies on tuition to cover its operating expenses.
Most Columbia students in recent years have only paid half of the full tuition price because of scholarships and other discounts. Under Bolton’s leadership, Columbia is now focusing on expanding scholarship opportunities as a part of a broader plan to boost student success and to address the college’s growing financial challenges.
Faculty Senate President Karla Fuller, a professor in the School of Film and Television, said that this decision will likely help to improve student enrollment and retention, both of which have continued to decline this year.
“I feel like it’s for the students, and obviously by extension the faculty, because we want you to succeed,” she said.
The college has laid off 43 full-time faculty in total this year, representing about 20% of all faculty. However, Fuller said that she believes the tuition freeze is “a good move all around for us.”
“Stabilizing enrollment and increasing retention is going to help faculty stay,” Fuller said. “I think we’re accustomed to working with less, and we’re getting creative and focusing on fundraising, so I think we’ll be fine in terms of managing our limited resources.”
Senior arts and entertainment management major Kira Cooper said that although she is graduating in May, the decision will help new and continuing students.
“There’s been so much change with the campus and uncertainty that it’s nice to have something positive,” she said. “I just hope nothing else bad happens.”
Copy edited by Matt Brady and Mya DeJesus
Resumen en español
El lunes 17 de noviembre, la junta directiva votó a mantener la matrícula igual por el próximo año, según un correo electrónico enviado por la presidenta y directora general de la escuela Shantay Bolton. Será la primera vez en tres años que no sube. Sin embargo, los costos estudiantiles y tarifas de vivienda subirán un 3%, para pagar los costos operativos y contractuales.
Este es un artículo en desarrollo.
Resumen en español por Sofía Oyarzún
