Access to Excellence

Full-time, degree-seeking, in-person undergraduate students enrolled at The University of Tulsa in fall 2027 will take advantage of this new $25,000 rate for tuition and required fees for four years. Additionally, no current UTulsa degree-seeking, in-person undergrad who is enrolled in 12-18 credit hours will pay more than $25,000 a year for tuition and mandatory fees for the 2026-27 academic year. We will communicate directly with students to explain what the change means for them.

There are no changes to graduate school, law school or online tuition at this time.

Yes. President Leeds has emphasized that UTulsa will not spend less on students or walk away from the characteristics that make our university a Top 100 private research university. In fact, the plan is expected to drive modest increases in enrollment, thereby ensuring long-term sustainability of quality academics and student engagement.

In addition, UTulsa will continue to benefit from strong connection to our tribal communities and philanthropic support that provides need- and merit-based financial aid and create opportunities that benefit all students.

Your federal and state aid eligibility will continue to be determined by applicable federal and state guidelines. Because tuition is being reduced, the total cost of attendance used to calculate some forms of aid will change. UTulsa is carefully reviewing how the new tuition structure will interact with all sources of aid and providing personalized information to each student by the start of the spring 2027 semester.

The university’s goal is to make pricing clearer and more affordable for all students while maintaining access to need- and merit-based assistance.

You will receive a one-time tuition adjustment for both fall 2026 and spring 2027. However, this adjustment will not credit to your account until the spring 2027 semester. Full-time enrollment in the spring will be necessary to receive this adjustment. There will be no change in fall 2026 billing statements, and you do not need to change your fall 2026 payment plan. Because of annual processes, undergraduates completing their degrees in December 2026 are not eligible for this tuition adjustment.

Most current students already pay less than the university’s published tuition price because of institutional scholarships and grants. The new published tuition and fee rate is designed to more closely reflect what many students already pay today.

Every student’s financial aid package is unique. The revised tuition is not intended to automatically reduce costs for students whose current net tuition is already below the new rate. Please email tuition@utulsa.edu if you have questions about how your individual aid package may be affected.

The important takeaway is no one will pay more under this new plan.

UTulsa is currently evaluating how the new tuition will apply to study abroad programs and exchange partnerships. Additional details will be shared as soon as possible.

The university’s goal is to continue providing the exceptional experiences that define a UTulsa education, including international opportunities that connect students with meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom.

No. The published price is changing, but the academic quality, personal attention and experiential opportunities that define a UTulsa education are not.

The university remains committed to rigorous courses and programs, small classes, mentorship from tenured and tenure-track faculty, undergraduate research opportunities, a beautiful residential campus, thriving student life and NCAA Division 1 athletics, including exciting FBS football gamedays. And we are still No. 1 in the nation for National Merit scholars per capita.

Our goal is to remove perceived pricing barriers that discourage outstanding prospective students from considering the university while maintaining the highly ranked educational experience (No. 11 in the country).

Oklahoma Promise awards are determined by the state and are subject to state program rules. The change in UTulsa’s tuition will not impact the rate of payment for Oklahoma Promise. The State of Oklahoma currently pays the university $182 per credit hour of enrollment.

Some students may see their tuition fully covered when the new published tuition is combined with federal, state, institutional and private scholarship support. However, the answer depends on each student’s financial circumstances and aid eligibility.

Student Financial Services will provide individualized estimates of costs and aid eligibility over the coming months.

None. The new published tuition rate is not tied to the educational experience. UTulsa has repeatedly emphasized that the qualities that distinguish the university will remain unchanged, including small classes, personal attention from professors, dozens of research opportunities, leadership development, residential student life and NCAA Division 1 athletics.

University leadership views the initiative as a strategy to make UTulsa more accessible, attract talented students to Tulsa and strengthen the university’s long-term future while preserving the individualized educational experience that is central to our identity.

Not at this time. The new $25,000 per academic year tuition rate applies only to undergraduate tuition and required university fees.

If you would like to discuss your student’s financial account with a UTulsa staff member, your student must first grant you permission due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

To complete a FERPA Student Records Release, your student should log in to Self-Service and follow these steps:

1. Click their username and select FERPA – Student Records Release.
2. Click Add Person/Relationship.
3. Enter the requested information for the person being authorized (* indicates required fields).
4. Assign a PIN (optional but highly recommended). If your student creates a PIN, please make sure you know it, as you will be asked to provide it when requesting information from the university.
5. Enter a start date and end date.
6. Select the level of access for that person. Choosing Allow Complete Access will automatically select all available permissions.
7. Click Authorize and Submit.

Federal law protects the privacy of student educational records. Unless your student has provided authorization through FERPA, the university generally cannot discuss information such as billing, financial aid, grades or other educational records with anyone other than the student.

If you have questions about the FERPA authorization process or your student’s rights under FERPA, please contact the Office of Compliance at compliance@utulsa.edu or 918-631-3170. You may also review UTulsa’s FERPA policy online.

Families take great pride in their students’ achievements. Your student’s scholarship continues to recognize their accomplishments. While scholarship amounts may be adjusted to reflect the university’s new tuition structure, they in no way diminish everything your student did to earn the recognition. Most importantly, no family’s out-of-pocket tuition will increase and your student will enjoy the benefits that accompany an even more welcoming campus.

Our goal is for no student to be disadvantaged because of the timing of this transition. Most families will see no change in what they pay. For the small number of families whose current out-of-pocket tuition exceeds the new tuition amount, they will have the opportunity to receive additional assistance.

No. The new tuition was only approved after it was clear that it would not affect the quality of a University of Tulsa education. In fact, it likely will improve the experience as it clarifies the true cost of an undergraduate degree at a private research institution. The new tuition rate more closely reflects what many students already pay after institutional scholarships and grants. The advertised price is changing; the features that define a UTulsa education are not. This initiative is about expanding access, not reducing excellence.

Students will see no change in:

• Rigorous academic programs across six colleges
• Small classes (averaging 13 students) taught by tenured professors
• Personal mentorship from faculty with an 11:1 ratio
• Undergraduate research labs and projects
• NCAA Division 1 athletics, including FBS football
• Internships, hands-on experiences and service learning
• A robust 95% job placement and prestigious graduate/medical school placements
• More than 100 student organizations and Greek life opportunities
• Vibrant residential campus 2 miles from downtown

Applications are now being accepted. We encourage you to consider visiting campus to see for yourself what sets UTulsa apart.

The University of Tulsa is excited that this new published price is designed to draw interest from students and families who live outside of Oklahoma. As a private university, our tuition is the same regardless of where you call home.

Our students come from all 50 states and 78 countries. If you are seeking a one-of-a-kind academic journey based on opportunities, experiences and outcomes, you belong here. From Chicago to Cheyenne … St. Louis to Santa Fe … Denver to Dallas … Fargo to Fayetteville … and Billings, Montana, to Biloxi, Mississippi … there’s no place like UTulsa. The application period is now open.

We deeply value our alumni and understand some may wonder why tuition is being reduced after they completed their education and potentially incurred student loan debt. Tuition rates are set based on the circumstances and institutional needs at the time. The decision to decrease tuition for 2027-28 is intended to improve affordability and access for current and future students as other universities continue to raise their rates.

The overall cost of attendance includes housing, dining, transportation, course materials and incidental expenses outside of the scope of the change to UTulsa’s tuition and required fees. The initiative announced on Aug. 11 does not mean future students won’t also take out loans, just like past students. It does mean that future students and their families will have a clearer picture of the true cost of an undergraduate degree at a Top 100 private research institution.

UTulsa’s new tuition price will do more than make college more affordable. It will keep Oklahoma’s brightest students closer to home and attract more talented students from across the heartland. This, in turn, bolsters the pipeline of future tech leaders, engineers, scientists, healthcare professionals, teachers, entrepreneurs and executives who contribute to our local and state economy and strengthens our communities.

College students support retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, housing providers and other businesses throughout Tulsa. Many young professionals remain near their alma mater after graduation, filling high-demand jobs and driving long-term economic growth.

When more students choose UTulsa, the benefits extend beyond campus. Tulsa gains future employees, neighbors and civic leaders, creating a better tomorrow for the entire region.