Story By: Elise Kidd

MONTEVALLO, Ala. — University of Montevallo students will be spending more when it comes time to pay their Fall 2025 bill. 

After freezing tuition for seven years, UM is raising tuition 3.5% starting next semester.

SGA members and other students met with UM President Dr. John Stewart in early February to express their concerns about the rise in cost of attendance. The input was then taken to the board of trustees meeting on Feb. 14. 

The board of trustees originally proposed a 3-4.5% increase in tuition, a streaming fee for residents, and a $65 per a semester parking pass. 

The current rates are $403 per credit hour for in-state undergraduate students tuition, $37 per credit hour for the Technology and Access fee, parking passes are $35 per year and no streaming fee currently exists for resident’s. 

Student Trustee Kendall Miller and SGA Vice President Caleb Jernigan communicated student’s worries on the increase in prices to the board. 

After hearing from Miller and Jernigan, the board adjusted their proposal. 

“I think the meeting went very well. The board compromised more than I expected,” said Miller. 

The final decision was:

  • a 3.5% increase in tuition,
  • an $85 per semester streaming fee for residents,
  • a $70 per year parking pass,
  • and $2 increase per hour for the Technology and Access fee. 

For students taking 15 credit hours, this means their tuition will be raised by $211 a semester, and the technology and access fee will increase by $24 a semester. 

Miller also added that the meal plan will increase, though it has to every year due to the university’s contract and the growing cost of food.

The updated cost of attendance and prices has not yet been added on UM’s website, however Miller hopes it will be before registration begins for fall classes. 

Dr. Stewart sent an email to students, faculty and staff, on March 7. In the email he addressed the increase in tuition, citing a “significant rise in the cost of living,” as the major reasoning behind the decision. 

The increase put into place is said to be the most viable solution that could be accepted by students, and also assist in budget relief for UM. Many of the other increases, such as parking passes and technology and access fees, were chosen in order to cover costs of past and future upgrades in those specific areas. 

Dr. Stewart shared in the message that the University is “proud to have a long track record of keeping the pathway to a college degree as affordable for our high school graduates, community college transfers, adult learners and their families as we possibly can.” 

The email also emphasized that UM will continue to increase funding for institutional scholarships as tuition and living costs increase as well. 

The page with the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 rates is not updated on the UM website. We will share when this is posted. 

This story has been updated on March 12, 2025, with comments from Dr. Stewart.