August 4, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 4, 2026

University of Alaska Regents eliminate non-resident tuition rate systemwide

The change, effective for the Fall 2027 semester, expands the “Alaska Unlocked” initiative piloted by the University of Alaska Southeast last year.

(FAIRBANKS) - The University of Alaska (��ū�컨��) Board of Regents today voted to expand the “Alaska Unlocked” initiative, eliminating nonresident tuition (NRT) for undergraduate and graduate students the next academic year (Fall 2027 - Spring 2028). The change is expected to increase enrollment, provide tuition transparency, and improve retention of out-of-state students while reducing administrative load.

“��ū�컨�� empowers Alaska, and efforts to reduce barriers and improve accessibility to the quality education we provide will help our institutions continue to recruit, attract, and retain Alaska’s workforce.” ��ū�컨�� Board of Regents Chair Scott Jepsen said. ”This change will help bring in students who may not have otherwise considered ��ū�컨�� and continue our trend of enrollment growth.”

While each university will maintain its own tuition rates for graduate and undergraduate students, there will be no additional charge for out-of-state students. In practice, Non-Resident Tuition is heavily discounted and brings in less than 1.2% of net tuition revenue (less than $1.4 million in external funding).

“Over 75% of students who graduate from a ��ū�컨�� institution stay and work in Alaska long term,” ��ū�컨�� President Matt Cooper, who began his tenure as ��ū�컨��'s 18th president on Monday, said. “Eliminating out-of-state tuition is just one part of broader efforts to improve the student experience at ��ū�컨��, make us more competitive in the higher education marketplace, and grow and educate Alaska’s future workforce.

��ū�컨��S created the “Alaska Unlocked” initiative last year, which eliminated NRT for undergraduate students who attend ��ū�컨��S this Fall (Fall 2026). The results from ��ū�컨��S provided support to extend the program systemwide. As of July 2026, ��ū�컨��S has surpassed its baseline for new undergraduate, degree-seeking students from out-of-state, with applications up 18% year-over-year, admittances up 43%, and newly enrolled students up 33% over last year.

The move is a part of broader efforts to improve tuition transparency at ��ū�컨��, and simplify student bills. The Board of Regents will review proposed tuition rates for Fall 2027 - Spring 2028 at their September Board meeting, and will approve final rates in November.

See attached flier for additional information.

The University of Alaska Board of Regents is an 11-member volunteer board, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Alaska Legislature. Members serve an eight-year term, except for the student regent, who serves a two-year term. The Board was established through the Alaska Constitution and is responsible for University of Alaska policy and management through the university president.

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For more information, contact Jonathon Taylor, director of public affairs at 907-350-0168 (cell), or via email at jmtaylor9@alaska.edu.