Raleigh residents and current NC State students should watch the upcoming board meeting, as the university’s Board of Trustees is set to consider a 3% tuition increase for in‑state undergraduate students who will begin classes in the fall of 2027. The proposal, reported by WRAL, follows a similar 3% increase that took effect for the fall 2026 cohort, marking the first rise in in‑state tuition across the UNC System since 2017.
In addition to the tuition hike, NC State is seeking a comparable 3% increase for non‑resident undergraduates. The university is also asking for higher fees to support student media, repairs and renovations to the student center, and expanded dining and housing services. According to board materials cited by WRAL, the additional revenue is projected to exceed $4.5 million. The university says the funds would be used to “increase the quality and accessibility of the NC State educational experience” and to provide “funding for faculty promotional increases.”
The proposal comes as other UNC System schools are also reviewing tuition changes. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, for example, is not requesting an in‑state tuition increase this cycle but is proposing a 10% increase for out‑of‑state undergraduates, which could push annual tuition and fees above $54,000 for those students. Meanwhile, UNC’s board is allowing system schools to propose up‑to‑3% increases for in‑state undergraduate tuition this year.
Because tuition is locked for students who began their studies in the fall of 2026, those individuals will not see a second increase for the 2027 term. The UNC System Board of Governors is scheduled to meet Wednesday and Thursday, while NC State’s Board of Trustees meets Thursday and Friday, according to the same WRAL report.
What’s next? The NC State Board of Trustees will vote on the tuition and fee proposals later this week. If approved, the 3% increase would take effect for all new in‑state undergraduate students starting in the fall semester of 2027. Students, families, and community members are encouraged to follow the board’s public meetings for any updates or decisions.
Sources: wral.com
