OU President Joseph Harroz announced Sunday the university will raise its Norman Campus programs’ tuition and fees by 2.75 percent starting Fall 2021, pending OU Board of Regents’ approval.
According to an email from Harroz's office, the rise in tuition and fees – which is in support of the Lead On, University Strategic Plan – will expand student services, enhance focus on career services, enrich academic programs, hire new faculty and funding research.
“Ultimately, we want to ensure that we can continue to fund a transformative student experience and world-class teaching and research – the kind that truly changes lives,” Harroz said.
For the past three years, OU has not raised tuition and fees – one of the only two public universities that have done so, according to the email. Harroz said although one tenet of the Strategic Plan was to keep education affordable, the increase in tuition will aid in satisfying the other goals.
“To achieve the ambitions and dreams we have for our students, we must all, together, share in the contributions and commitment it will take to achieve it,” Harroz said. “For our students and their families, it means managing the increasing cost of a college degree. For our faculty, staff, and administration, it will mean adapting to operational changes that will ultimately benefit the institution and our purpose.”
According to the email, students with questions on how the tuition increase affects them can contact the Student Financial Center for help finding financial aid and funding for the upcoming year.
“We always endeavor to be conscientious stewards of our resources and our sacred purpose,” Harroz said. “It’s my hope this letter provides context for our decision and reveals our resolve to ensure OU remains both excellent and affordable.”
Editor's note: This article was updated at 7:05 p.m. to correct the percentage increase of OU Norman Campus programs' tuition and fees.
