Piggy bank with graduation hat, coins, and books, representing tuition fees | Image by Canva
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that undergraduate tuition and fees at the state’s public colleges and universities will remain frozen through the 2026-27 academic year.
Abbott sent a letter to all Texas public institutions of higher education directing them not to increase undergraduate tuition or fees for the upcoming school year.
“I directed all public institutions of higher education in Texas to freeze undergraduate tuition and fees. Higher education must be attainable for Texas students and families,” Abbott said in a statement. “Access to affordable, high-quality education is essential to ensure Texans learn the skills needed to secure family-sustaining jobs and meet the demands of a growing workforce.”
The tuition freeze applies to all two-year and four-year public institutions, including general academic universities and health-related institutions.
In his letter to college and university presidents, Abbott said the directive originally issued in November 2024 “remains fully in effect.”
“No undergraduate tuition or fees should be increased in the forthcoming academic school year,” Abbott wrote.
Abbott also thanked the Texas Legislature for codifying his earlier directive freezing undergraduate tuition and fees at general academic four-year institutions, while emphasizing that the policy applies to all public higher education institutions statewide.
The governor said tuition and fees at Texas public colleges and universities have remained frozen since 2023 while the state has continued to invest heavily in higher education and student financial aid.
According to Abbott, Texas invested more than $680 million in 2023 to reform community college funding and expand degree pathways for students. During the 2025 budget cycle, the state also increased student financial aid funding by $328 million to expand access to aid programs for eligible students.
“These investments ensure that higher education remains accessible and affordable for all Texans,” Abbott wrote.
Abbott said Texas must continue creating affordable pathways to higher education while maintaining strong academic standards. He added that he plans to work with lawmakers during the next legislative session to extend the tuition freeze into future academic years and identify additional ways to reduce higher education costs for students and families.