Regents approve tuition, fees for 2026-27 with focus on affordability

Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents, during its regular session on Thursday, approved rates for the institution’s 2026-27 academic year, including tuition and fees, room and board rates, and supplemental fees.

With the Board’s approval, Northwest undergraduate tuition rates will increase by 3 percent next fall. Based on 30 credit hours, in-state undergraduate students attending Northwest will see an estimated average annual net tuition increase of $305, while out-of-state undergraduate students will see an estimated average annual net tuition increase of $487.

Additionally, room and board rates will increase between $462 and $516 annually, depending on the residence hall and meal plan a student selects.

While tuition rates for graduate-level programs vary, based on program and delivery methods, those rates will increase between 3 and 6 percent.

In their proposal to regents, Northwest leaders emphasized their continued commitment to meeting student expectations and enhancing the collegiate experience while ensuring the University’s ability to sustain operational excellence in the highly competitive higher education market.

Vice President of Finance and Administration Stacy Carrick said the move is designed to balance student affordability with institutional priorities. Carrick noted Northwest’s commitment to affordability is evident in the fact that 95 percent of first-time, full-time students and 83 percent of all undergraduate degree-seeking students receive scholarships or grants.

Northwest's innovative textbook and laptop rental programs also save students an average of $6,800 during the span of a four-year degree program.  

Further, according to a recent report released by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Northwest is the most efficient among the state’s public universities for state appropriations per full-time equivalent student.

The proposal was based on relevant consumer price index and employment cost index data for tuition, fees, housing and dining services, in addition to projected inflationary pressures, such as utility costs, employee retirement and health benefits, and service agreements.

In other business

In other business during the session, regents approved the conferral of degrees to students graduating from Northwest this spring and the appointments of six adjunct faculty to teach during the University’s upcoming term. Regents also discussed nominations for their next chair and vice chair, who will be elected during the Board’s June meeting.

During his report to the Board, Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum provided updates on the University’s recruitment and enrollment initiatives, while highlighting recent successes. In recent weeks, Northwest has celebrated a national championship for the Bearcat Steppers, student media awards and the announcement of a new campus dining partner. The University also is anticipating the completion of its Martindale Hall expansion this summer and the final phase of its infrastructure modernization project.

“Over the past three years, we have taken on a great deal in order to position ourselves for what we think is coming at us in the future,” Tatum said. “It’s been fast. The pace has been accelerated. The frequency of change has been, probably, a lot more than what some expected, but I’m really grateful for the openness and the tolerance that we have received from everyone. I think we are continuing to make progress on a number of strategic fronts that will put us in a really strong position as we move forward.” 

The Board of Regents is responsible for sound resource management of the University and for determining general, educational and financial policies.