University of Nebraska Regents Approve 5% Tuition Hike, $20 Million Cuts

Several Midwestern public universities have approved budgets that include tuition increases and spending cuts in response to limited state funding and rising costs. The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved a 5% tuition increase for the 2025-2026 academic year and plans to cut $20 million from its budget, despite a modest state funding increase, to address inflation and budget shortfalls. Similarly, the University of Minnesota approved tuition hikes up to 7.5% and program cuts totaling 7%, citing federal funding cuts and a 3.5% decrease in state funding adjusted for inflation. The University of Minnesota also faces federal lawsuits and potential NIH funding threats. Meanwhile, the University of Iowa is focusing on capital projects, approving budgets for expansions and renovations to improve campus facilities such as the CAMBUS Garage and the Advanced Technology Laboratory. These actions reflect a broader trend of universities balancing tuition increases, budget cuts, and strategic investments amid financial pressures in higher education.