27-03-2025
Third tuition hike could be coming for Austin Peay State University undergrads
Austin Peay State University could see another tuition and fees increase for undergraduates.
The Board of Trustees will discuss a 5% hike during its April 11 meeting, the university announced Wednesday.
If approved, the increase would be the highest the university has seen in the last three years, and a little below the maximum range of 6.5% set by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC).
"APSU is exercising prudent fiscal stewardship with a limited tuition and fee increase," an APSU public notice said. "The revenue derived from the increase will be used for enhancing student experiences and to address rising salary and contractual costs of the university."
Public comments about the proposed increase can be submitted ahead of APSU's Board of Trustees meeting via the Tuition Transparency and Accountability website or by mail to the Secretary of the Board at P.O. Box 4576, Clarksville, TN 37044.
They will be accepted through April 9.
This the third year in a row APSU has considered a tuition hike. The university passed increases of 4% and 3% during the last two years.
In June, before the board voted to raise tuition by 4%, many members said they were reluctant to go through with it, but felt it had to be done.
"We want to make college affordable for everyone, and I think this university has tried to do that the best they can," APSU Trustee Phil Roe said at the time. "4%, I'd like to see zero, and it's about what inflation is and the cost for this university. Whether it's food or electricity or our personnel goes up just like anybody else, it's a business."
In 2023, when the Board voted to raise undergrad tuition and fees by 3%, APSU Board Chair Don Jenkins said the increase wasn't something board members took lightly.
"Inflation has raised by 10%, and we're raising tuition by 3% to offset the cost of salaries, but we are aware of the economy," he said.
The 2023 increase was the first time the university had raised tuition since June 2021. Then, it increased by 1.6% and fees increased by 2% for the 2021-22 academic year.
Jenkins said that while he hates to see another increase, the board realizes they have to stay competitive with goods and services like every other industry.
"I think one of the things we need to consider is that when inflation was running about nine to 10%, we raised 3%," he said. "We went in the hole when we had the greatest amount of inflation."
A possible raise in tuition isn't the only thing coming for APSU students for the 2025-26 academic year.
Austin Peay announced in December that it would launch a Tuition-Free program for Tennessee residents beginning in Fall 2025.
The program will cover the last dollar amount of tuition and related education fees that aren't covered by federal or state grants, scholarships, discounts or Veterans Education Benefits.
It is for incoming freshman and transfer students who:
Tennessee residents or graduates of Fort Campbell High School
Household incomes doesn't exceed $75,000 per year
Qualify for the HOPE Scholarship
Enroll as full-time students beginning in Fall 2025 or later
Have not previously earned a Bachelor's degree
In addition to the university's other qualifications, students must meet three other qualifications for the program:
Students must be admitted to APSU
Complete the FAFSA
Sign up for Governors Orientation by May 1, 2025
Kenya Anderson is a reporter for The Leaf-Chronicle. She can be contacted at kanderson@ or on X at kenyaanderson32. Sign up for the Leaf-Chronicle to support local journalism at
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: Austin Peay State University board to consider 5% tuition, fee hike
