The University of Maine System is considering an average 2.5 percent tuition increase for next year.

The proposal was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees’ Finance, Facilities and Technology Committee Wednesday as part of an overall budget proposal and will head to the full board for consideration May 24.

In-state undergraduates on most campuses would see a 2.4 percent tuition increase – roughly the same as last year – while out of state undergraduates would see a 2.5 or 2.6 percent increase depending on campus. Graduate students would see a 2.5 or 2.6 percent increase with the exception of the University of Maine School of Law, where the tuition proposal calls for no increase.

Tuition at the flagship University of Maine Orono would be $12,286 for an in-state student, including mandatory fees. Orono also is one of three universities participating in a pilot program to consolidate student fees into fewer charges on a student’s bill in the coming year.

The pilot program rolls some student fees at Orono, as well as at the University of Maine at Machias, into tuition with the exception of a student activity fee and technology fee. A slightly different pilot program at the University of Southern Maine consolidates most student fees into one comprehensive fee.

“These are all revenue neutral, so it’s really about being more transparent in our billing,” said Ryan Low, vice chancellor for finance and administration. “It’s one place where the Legislature has taken a particular interest. We’ve participated in sessions where lawmakers will show us a campus bill that is several pages and they have asked us to address transparency, so this is our effort to do that.”

The average room and board increase for 2021-22 is 2.3 percent across the system. Average room and board is expected to cost $9,973 next year compared to $9,753 this year. In total, the proposed tuition, mandatory fees and room and board for an in-state undergraduate at Orono would be $23,560.


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