# UK approves modest 1.94% tuition increase for 2026-27  
**Published:** 2026-05-04T04:40:48.000Z  
**Source:** [NKY Tribune](https://nkytribune.com/2026/05/university-of-kentucky-increases-1-94-tuition-increase-for-26-27-school-year/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/uk-approves-modest-1-94-tuition-increase-for-2026-27

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees has approved a 1.94 percent tuition increase for the 2026-2027 academic year, continuing the institution's pattern of keeping costs low while investing in student financial aid.

The increase, authorized by the state [Council on Postsecondary Education](https://cpe.ky.gov/), will bring tuition and mandatory fees for full-time resident undergraduate students to $7,088.50 per semester, an increase of $135. Full-time nonresident undergraduate students will pay $17,923, a $341 increase, according to reporting from the [NKy Tribune](https://nkytribune.com/2026/05/university-of-kentucky-increases-1-94-tuition-increase-for-26-27-school-year/).

UK President Eli Capilouto emphasized the university's focus on affordability. "Holding down costs and ensuring that the education we provide is affordable and accessible is one of the most important ways we help advance this state," Capilouto said in a statement.

The tuition adjustment includes a Campus Recreation Fee increase from $95 to $109 per semester to support expansion and renovation of the Johnson Student Recreation Center. The Student Government Association reviewed and endorsed the fee proposal as part of its annual process.

Over the past six years, UK's rolling four-year average for tuition and fee increases has remained under 3 percent, according to university data. The university has also increased financial aid significantly, with more than 50 percent of UK undergraduate in-state students graduating without debt, backed by continually increasing levels of scholarships and grants.

The university's enrollment continues to approach 40,000 students, with Fall 2025 enrollment at 38,383 representing every county in Kentucky, all 50 U.S. states and more than 100 countries.

## Sources

- [NKY Tribune](https://nkytribune.com/2026/05/university-of-kentucky-increases-1-94-tuition-increase-for-26-27-school-year/)
- [UKNow - Tuition rate for 2026-27 academic year approved by UK Board of Trustees](http://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/tuition-rate-2026-27-academic-year-approved-uk-board-trustees)
- [Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education](https://cpe.ky.gov/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from NKY Tribune, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://nkytribune.com/2026/05/university-of-kentucky-increases-1-94-tuition-increase-for-26-27-school-year/.