Indiana University (IU) has proposed a two-year tuition freeze for in-state undergraduate students, reinforcing its stated commitment to affordability and access for Indiana residents.
The IU Board of Trustees will consider the proposal during a public forum at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at Henke Hall of Champions on the Bloomington campus. Public comments can be submitted through 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, via email to tu*****@**.edu or by mail to the Office of the Board of Trustees in Bloomington.
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The proposal would keep tuition flat for in-state undergraduate students through the 2026-27 academic year. It follows other affordability initiatives by the university, including a 2024 fee restructuring that eliminated half of all academic fees, saving students approximately $14.5 million annually. The plan also includes a proposed tuition increase of up to 2% for most graduate programs, with exceptions for certain health and medical fields.
University officials said the freeze aligns with goals outlined in the IU 2030 strategic plan and reflects a focus on supporting Hoosier students. Beginning July 1, IU will also increase its minimum stipend pay for graduate students with part-time teaching or research appointments.
The announcement comes as Indiana’s new high school diploma system, set to fully take effect for the Class of 2029, introduces the Enrollment Honors Plus seal, which offers automatic admission to qualified students at Indiana public universities, including IU. The seal is expected to shift the composition of incoming classes by increasing the proportion of in-state students.
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Currently, 54% of IU Bloomington’s freshman class hails from Indiana, a notable decline from 70% in 2017. The remainder are out-of-state or international students. Some experts say the higher tuition costs paid by out-of-state students may have helped offset operational expenses. Nonresident undergraduates pay significantly more, on average $23,630 nationally, compared to $10,662 for in-state students, according to recent studies.
This economic model has been central to discussions around rising out-of-state enrollment at public universities nationwide. Purdue University, which has maintained a decade-long tuition freeze for in-state students, now enrolls 53% of its freshman class from out of state, surpassing IU Bloomington. Some analysts have cited Purdue’s reliance on higher-paying out-of-state students as a key factor in its ability to sustain the tuition freeze.
By contrast, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), now IU-Indianapolis, has historically maintained a strong in-state enrollment, with 87% of students from Indiana.
Indiana University’s financial outlook remains strong. From 2019 to 2022, its operating revenue grew by $177 million and its net financial position increased by more than $1 million. Meanwhile, the state of Indiana has increased funding for higher education by 9% since 2021—part of a broader $37 billion biennial state budget, roughly 10% of which supports public universities.
IU’s total economic impact is estimated at $9.9 billion annually across its campuses, far outpacing other Indiana institutions. A 2018–2019 analysis found that students gain approximately $35,000 in lifetime income for every $10,000 spent on their IU degree.
Details of the proposed tuition and fee plan are available through IU’s Office of the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration.