ORLANDO, Fla. — A key part of getting a college education could cost some University of Central Florida students a bit more next year.

The school’s Board of Trustees voted in favor of increasing the cost of housing this week, which will take effect in the fall and will affect single- and double-occupancy rooms. The increase of 21% for single-occupancy rooms and 8% for double-occupancy rooms is on top of a previously approved 4% increase.

What You Need To Know

The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees voted this week to increase costs for single-occupancy housing an additional 21% for Fiscal Year 2027 — double-occupancy rooms would see a smaller 8% increase
The increases are on top of an already approved 4% per year increase

Officials say this is the first significant increase to housing costs at the university in 12 years

Students on campus say they believe the increase is steep and could impact future enrollment numbers

The changes are set to take effect for the 2026-2027 school year

For students enrolled at one of the largest universities in the country, living in on-campus housing serves as a nice convenience.

“I do definitely like it, because of the proximity to everything,” UCF sophomore Janaya Lugg said. “The gym is right here and it’s a quick walk to the library and the student union.”

Lugg is currently living in Hercules Community housing and has been living on campus for the last two years. According to information from the university, the average cost per semester for a single-occupancy room on campus in Fiscal Year 2026 is $3,500 — for Fiscal Year 2027, that would increase 25% (21% approved by the Board Wednesday on top of the previously approved 4% increase) to $4,375 per semester. 

For double-occupancy rooms, the current average cost of $2,962 per semester would increase by 12% (8% approved Wednesday on top of the previously approved 4% increase) to $3,317. 

While the Board of Trustees vote Wednesday only addressed the housing rates for Fiscal Year 2027, documents presented to the board indicate that the increases would continue through Fiscal Year 2031, with single-occupancy rooms projected to increase another 18% in Fiscal Year 2028 and then 4% for Fiscal Years 2029 through 2031. Double-occupancy rooms are projected to increase 12% in Fiscal Year 2028 and then 4% per year for Fiscal Years 2029 through 2031.

University officials say the rate increases are expected to bring in about $6.4 million in additional revenue for Fiscal Year 2027. Based on the projected rates beyond Fiscal Year 2027, revenue from housing is expected to increase from $35.9 million this year to $54.2 million in Fiscal Year 2031.

They said this is the first significant increase to housing costs at the university in 12 years, and it is needed to fund important housing projects, and to bring UCF’s rates in line with other public universities in Florida.

“Every dollar from this increase is being reinvested in the housing inventory,” UCF Executive Chief of Staff Mike Kilbride said. “We’re prioritizing accelerating facilities conditions assessment projects, HVAC systems, life safety systems, building envelope work and deferred maintenance that’s accumulated over time.”

Despite that, the increase is a move that doesn’t sit well with Lugg and other students.

“I received three major scholarships,” Lugg said. “I received the Pell Grant and I received Bright Futures and it just barely covers my tuition and housing, and I’m in-state.”

“It’s that on top of tuition, a meal plan, you know, your textbooks and other costs, so it starts to add up,” UCF freshman Alek Vinitsky said.

Vinitsky is living at the Lake Claire Housing Community on campus.

He says he loves where he lives, but doesn’t love the idea of paying more for housing.

But both Lugg and Vinitsky said that as the costs climb, it could keep the next class of prospective Knights from enrolling at UCF.

“I can see it being an issue, because the out-of-state tuition is way more, plus extra housing,” Vinitsky said. “So, I can see that being a deterrent, yeah.”

Both Vinitsky and Lugg say they planned on moving to off-campus housing next year, but they also said if they were graduating high school now, the increased costs would prompt them to consider other options.